KINGS OF MEDIA-ATROPATENE. Artavasdes, circa 56-30 BC. Dichalkon (Bronze, 19 mm, 4.66 g, 1 h), Ganzak or Phraaspa, circa 56-35 BC. Draped bust of Artavasdes to right, wearing three-pointed tiara decorated with an annulet (or a wreath?) within raised rectangular design; behind, Nike flying right to crown the king.
Rev. BACIΛE[ΩC - BACIΛEΩN - APTAYAZΔOY] - EYEPΓ[ETOY] Artavasdes, on the right, standing left, holding spear and receiving wreath from Tyche, on the left, kneeling right. Alram 236 corr. (reverse legend). Kovacs -, cf. p. 50-51. Of the highest rarity and great interest. Good fine.
From an important collection of Armenian coins.
Artavasdes of Atropatene is not to be confused with his contemporary Artavasdes II of Armenia, who was his sworn enemy. The Median Artavasdes allied with the Parthians against Mark Antony in 36 BC and played a crucial role in the destruction of the Roman baggage train, which led to the retreat of the invasion force. In 35 BC, Artavasdes switched sides and allied with Mark Antony, who betrothed his and Cleopatra's son Alexander Helios with the King's daughter Iotape. This time, however, Artavasdes had backed the wrong horse and was unable to defend himself against an invasion of Phraates IV in 30 BC, as he had sent his best troops away to support Mark Antony against Octavian. Having fled from Parthian captivity shortly thereafter, Octavian received him with kindness and made him King of Armenia Minor, a position he held until his death in Rome in 20 BC.
The present issue was certainly struck during Artavasdes' alliance with Phraates IV, as evidenced by the Nike crowning the King's bust on the obverse and the reverse type, both of which follow Parthian prototypes.
