of the Greeks in their last stand against the expanding Roman world. The silver, about 16
grams, on big flans, and the gold, about 8 grams, were struck at various cities held by the
Greek forces of Mithradates "Eupator." At first glance most of these coins are in the name of
Alexander the Great, or his treasurer, Lysimachus, whose coin designs had been kept alive
for over 200 years by a large number of cities which had been part of his far flung empire.
The continuance of these coin designs served a variety of purposes. These coins honored
the gods Hercules, Athena and Zeus, as well as commemorating Alexander himself. The
metallic reputation of these widely accepted trade coins shined through the centuries. There
are historical accounts of these Greek cities being surrounded by the barbarian hoards. The
barbarians would threaten to attack if not paid their tribute of "Alexanders." Mithradates
implemented the next use of these Alexanders by placing his own portrait in the place of
Hercules. On very few of the gold staters the face of Mithradates appears as Alexander.
Perhaps his megalomania made him really believe he was Hercules, or maybe this
identification with a god and a hero was simply to inspire his armies. Whatever the reason,
several large hoards have lowered the price of these great coins to the benefit of today's
collectors.
Alexander the Great and unite all Greek speaking peoples in a crusade against the rising
power of Rome. Mithradates' own career was the stuff of legend. Born around 120 B.C., he
inherited at age 11 the kingdom of Pontus, a small rather unimportant realm on the south
coast of the Black Sea. However, his ferocious mother seized power, forcing Mithradates and
his entourage to flee to the mountains. There he grew into a man of power and insatiable
appetites. He received an advanced Greek education and could speak 25 languages. He
was also a large, exceptionally strong, and skilled warrior. To thwart assassins he took
minute doses of poisons daily to build up immunities. At age 18 he returned to Pontus,
launched a counter coup and put his mother and brother to death. He embarked on a career
of conquest which brought many Greek kingdoms and cities into his domain.
everywhere and were universally detested. Mithradates conceived a vision of liberating the
East from Rome and winning himself an even greater empire. He prepared for war by
recruiting a huge army which he unleashed in 88 B.C. in the First Mithradatic War. He began
invading neighboring kingdoms allied with the Romans, and by ordering the execution of
every Roman citizen in Asia Minor. Over 80,000 Italians perished in "The Night of the
Vespers." Mithradates crossed over from Asia Minor to Thrace and south to Greece proper,
calling for a general insurrection against Rome. Athens welcomed him as a liberator, but
more far-sighted Greeks realized Mithradates was as ruthless as the people he sought to
replace, and that Rome would not be easily defeated. The Roman response came in 87 B.C.,
led by the consul Sulla and five battle hardened legions. Sulla recaptured Athens and
pursued Mithradates back to Asia Minor. Political discord in Rome forced Sulla to cut short
his campaign, and in 85 B.C. he settled a peace with Mithradates. Mithradates had to
evacuate his annexed territories and return to Pontus, surrender his fleet of 70 war galleys
and pay a tribute of 2,000 talents, or roughly equivalent to 2.75 million silver tetradrachms.
Thus ended the First Mithradatic War.
Sulla, still occupied in Rome, ordered the Romans to withdraw. Some scholars date this
tetradrachm hoard to 83/82 B.C. coinciding with this campaign. Mithradates continued
rebuilding, and by 74 B.C. he had amassed an army of 120,000 foot soldiers, 16,000 cavalry,
and countless barbarians, (who probably preferred to be paid in "Alexanders".) The Third
Mithradatic War swung back and forth until Mithradates was defeated by Pompey the Great.
An army mutiny led by Mithradates' own son, Pharnaces, sealed his fate. In 63 B.C. after he
ordered his harem of 500 slain, he attempted suicide by poison, but his immunity worked too
well, and Mithradates died on his own sword, or ordered his bodyguard to kill him. The
Roman orator Cicero called Mithradates the greatest of all kings after Alexander.
American Express accepted.
5. All coins sent insured or registered! Orders less than
portrait of Mithradates in wonderful
style, with his name and drinking
Pegasus on rev. Abt. Unc/EF, slight
reverse double striking............ $3775.
Obv: Portrait of Mithradates as
Hercules Rev:Zeus enthroned, in
the name of Alexander. VF+ $377.
VF ........................................... $227.
features of Mithradates identifying
with Alexander.
Lysimachus. Abt Unc, small flan split,
couple tiny nicks. .................... $3775.
Obv: Deified Alexander in pleasing
style. Rev: Athena enthroned, in the
name of Lysimachus. Abt. Unc. $877.
EF $777. VF............................ $677.
Thrace. Obv: Deified Alexander struck
with cruder, well used rusty dies. Rev:
Athena enthroned, in the name of
Lysimachus. EF $677. VF $577. Abt.
Unc. Off center $377. ICG MS 62
$1477. ICG MS 61 $1077. ICG MS 60
$977. ICG AU 58 .................... $877.
Obv: Deified Alexander? Or possibly a
portrait of Ariarathes, a son of
Mithradates. Rev: Athena enthroned,
in the name of Lysimachus.
Abt. Unc $977. EF $877. VF $677.
ICG MS 64 $1977. ICG MS 63 $1477.
ICG AU 58 .............................. $977.
Mithradates' homeland. Obv: Aegis,
with gorgon's head at center. Rev:
Nike advancing, carrying palm branch.
Choice VF $77. normal crude VF $37.
Fine.........................................
different die with the features of
Mithradates, Rev: Athena enthroned,
in the name of Lysimachus. Abt. Unc,
dramatic style, light planchet defect
crossing face........................... $2777.