★ An extremely rare dichalkon of Artavasdes II ★

KINGS OF ARMENIA. Artavasdes II, 56-34 BC. Dichalkon (Bronze, 17 mm, 4.00 g, 12 h), Artaxata, RY 1 = 56/5. Draped bust of Artavasdes II (or Tigranes II) to right, wearing tiara decorated with star and eagles and tied with diadem; behind to left, A. Rev. [BAΣIΛEΩΣ - APTAYAZΔOY] Cypress tree; below, [A]. Kovacs 159. Extremely rare and of great interest. Rough and somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good fine.

From an important collection of Armenian coins.

This is the first issue of Artavasdes II, struck from an old obverse die of his father Tigranes II 'the Great', who passed away in 56 BC.