KINGS OF ARMENIA. Tigranes II ‘the Great’, 95-56 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 15.81 g, 12 h), Tigranokerta, circa 80-68. Draped bust of Tigranes II to right, wearing five-pointed tiara decorated with comet star between two eagles. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - TIΓPANOY The Tyche of Tigranokerta, turreted and veiled, seated right on rock, holding long palm frond in her right hand; below, river-god Araxes swimming right; on rock, monogram; in field to right, monogram of AP; all within wreath. Kovacs 74. Perfectly centered and with a very attractive portrait. Good very fine.


There has been considerable dispute as to when Tigranes II invaded Syria and captured Antiochia, with Ehling suggesting the year 83 BC as being a valid candidate. Once in possession of what little had remained of the Seleukid Empire, the Armenian king resettled thousands of Greeks to Tigranokerta, his own capital in Armenia, and assumed the title King of Kings.