219. Eucratides. 170-145 BC. Tetradrachm, 17.03g (12h). Obv: Bust of Eucratides left, naked but for the helmet, hurling spear, with the ties of the diadem falling onto his bare back. Rx: BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY Dioscouri on horseback right, each holding spear and palm; monogram in lower right field. Bopearachchi, cat. rais. p. 207, 56. Mitchiner 179. SNG ANS 484. An exceptional example of this spectacular coin, surpassing the one in my 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, of great artistic quality and with a magnificent strike and full luster. Mint State $11,000
221. AE 16, 3.37g (12h). Obv: Draped portrait bust right, wearing tiara. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΜΟΥ Caps of the Dioscuri. P. Bedoukian, ANSMN 28 (1983), p. 84, 8. ACV 9. EF $600
This is one of the most spectacular of all Hellenistic portraits on coins. Eucratides is shown as the foremost fighter in combat, however in heroic nudity. The back view is reminiscent of Zeus and Poseidon hurling their weapons. This bold obverse type was adopted for a number of Roman emperors from Septimius Severus on, and was then frequently used in Renaissance portraiture.
222. AE 17, 5.54g (11h). Obv: Bust of Arsames right wearing domed crown. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΜΟ[Υ] Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. ACV 8. EF $600
223. AE 17, 3.30g (11h). Obv: Bust of Arsames left wearing domed crown. Rx: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. F. Kovacs, “Sophene: New Coins and Comments,” Armenian Numismatic Journal, Series II, vol. 6/4 (2010), p. 97, 3. ACV 8 var. Very rare. Usual low relief. EF $1,000 This type with bust left was unknown until recently. Arsames II is perhaps the same king as Arsames I (c. 240 BC, for which see ACV, pp. 48-49) but numismatists have preferred to separate the two, assigning those where the king wears a bashlyk to Arsames I. Enlargement
220. Armenia. Sophene. Arsames II. c. 230 BC. AE 17, 5.85g (1h). Obv: Draped portrait bust right, wearing domed crown. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΜΟΥ Herakles standing to front, holding club. P. Bedoukian, ANSMN 28 (1983), p. 83, 6. ACV 7. Usual low relief. EF $800
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224. Arkathias I. after c. 190-c. 175 BC. AE 14, 2.31g (12h). Obv: Head of king left, wearing tiara. Rx: Nike standing right, holding palm branch and raising wreath. Armenian Numismatic Journal, Series I, 25/3 (2004), p. 85, 195B (dating incorrect). Good VF, rare $850 According to Kovacs (forthcoming), Arkathias I was the successor to Zariadres (c. 190 BC) and founder of Arkathiakert. He apparently died during a conflict with the Seleucid king Antiochus IV (187-175 BC).