Nomos 32

KINGS OF PONTOS. Mithradates III, circa 220-200 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 34 mm, 16.86 g, 12 h). Diademed and draped bust of Mithradates to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - MIΘ-PAΔATOY Zeus seated to left on a high-backed throne, holding a long scepter with his left hand and, in his extended right, an eagle with closed wings standing to right; in the inner field to left, below his extended hand, eight-pointed star within a crescent; below throne, monogram of EMΠ; in the inner field to right, B over monogram of ΡΑ. De Callataÿ, First, 5 (O5/R1) = Mattingly, "The Coinage of Mithridates III, Pharnakes and Mithridates IV of Pontos", Studies Price, pl. 56, 4 (same dies). Very rare. Well-centered, toned and clear. Struck in high relief. A coin of wonderful quality. Obverse with traces of very light double striking, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From a European collection.

This impressive coin was struck by one of the most obscure and mysterious kings of the early Mithradatic dynasty of Pontos. Aside from his production of a handsome series of tetradrachms featuring a remarkably veristic portrait, virtually nothing is know about Mithradates III. Nevertheless, he is sometimes suspected of having been responsible for a failed Pontic attack on the Greek city of Sinope at the beginning of his reign, although this event might have taken place in the reign of his predecessor.