KINGS OF ARMENIA. Erato, sole reign, circa 13-15. Octachalkon (Bronze, 24 mm, 11.23 g, 1 h), Artaxata, RY 3. [BA - EPAT] Draped and diademed bust of Erato to right. Rev. [E - Γ] City gate and walls with six towers. Kovacs 187. Of the highest rarity and of great historical importance. Fair.


This highly interesting issue was struck during the short sole reign of Erato, the last of the Orontid line to rule Armenia. The coin is dated to the third regnal year of the queen, but it is unclear whether this takes into account the years of her first reign or not. In any case, the sole rule of a queen was a novum in Armenian history, as was the depiction of the city walls of Artaxata on the reverse of this issue. While the condition of our example is far from attractive, the extreme rarity of the issue still makes it a desirable coin.