KINGS OF ARMENIA. Erato, sole reign, circa 13-15. Tetrachalkon (Bronze, 20 mm, 3.93 g, 1 h), Artaxata, RY 3. BA - [EP] Diademed and draped bust of Erato to right. Rev. [E - Γ] Armenian tiara with bow and arrow behind. Kovacs 188. Of the highest rarity, one of a very few known examples. Minor smoothing, otherwise, fine.



Interestingly, on the obverse, Erato is shown wearing only the Hellenistic royal diadem, without the Armenian tiara, which was likely reserved for male rulers. The tiara's appearance on the reverse of this extremely rare issue undoubtedly served to legitimize her reign. As the last representative of the Orontid dynasty on the Armenian throne, Erato's claim to power stemmed not only from her royal lineage but also from her earlier marriage to her half-brother, Tigranes IV. He ruled alone from 8-5 BC and jointly with Erato from 2 BC to 1 AD, before losing both his throne and life in battle.