KINGS OF SOPHENE. Mithradates I, circa 2nd half of 2nd century BC. Chalkous (Bronze, 14 mm, 2.49 g, 8 h). Diademed and draped bust of Mithradates I to left, wearing bashlyk tied with a diadem. Rev. 𐡌𐡕𐡓𐡃𐡕 ('mtrdt' in Aramaic) Lion springing right. Kovacs -, cf. 28 (lion standing to left). Leu Web Auction 5 (2018), 389 (same dies). Unpublished and by far the best of now two known examples. A very interesting and highly important issue. Minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.


This coin allows, for the first time, the publication of a coin of a King of Sophene with an Aramaic rather than a Greek legend, and it is as such of the utmost historical importance.