KINGS OF COMMAGENE. Mithradates II, circa 34-20 BC. AE (Bronze, 22 mm, 15.55 g, 1 h), struck in the name of Antiochos I Theos and Mithradates II, Samosata. [BA MΕΓ AN]TIOXOY (?) Draped bust of Antiochos I to right, wearing Armenian tiara. Rev. [BA MΕΓA MIΘPAΔ M]IΘPA (?) Zebu bull butting right. Alram 247. Bedoukian, Commagene, -. RPC I -. G. Staab: Ehrung und Königsdesignation Mithradates' II. von Kommagene durch seinen Vater Antiochos I. auf dem Nemrud Dağı, in: Epigraphika Anatolica 44 (2011), p. 63-66. Extremely rare and among the best of very few examples known. Attractive dark patina. With the usual die breaks, otherwise, about very fine.

The coinage of Mithradates II is still quite problematic. Staab knew of only six examples, all of which are in poor condition and prevent a full reading of the legends. This makes the type hard to interpret: was it struck during a joint rule of Antiochos I and his son, or is it a commemorative issue of the latter for his deceased father? While this question remains unanswered for the time being, our example at least confirms the ending of the reverse legend on [M]IΘPA or [M]IΘPAΔ. The reading of the obverse name as [AN]TIOXOY, on the other hand, is not new, though rarely this clear (see the previous lot for a coin of Antiochos I, completing his titulature to BAΣ MEΓ AN[TIOXOY]). We can only hope that future examples will allow a clearer reading of both sides, while pointing out that the alleged spear held by Antiochos I on the obverse is certainly just a die break