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Both sides of an irregularly shaped silver-gray coin with relief decoration on each side.　

On the side of the coin on the left is the head of a man facing right, tendrils of long curly hair held in place with a headband. The other side of the coin depicts a winged horse standing facing left, lowering its head to drink; to the left, a star over a cresent; surrounding the border, a wreath of ivy leaves and flowers; above and below the horse, the Greek characters: B A S I L E W S / M I T H R I D A T O Y / E Y P A T O R O S.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.165
People
Mithradates VI Eupator, Greek (r. 120-63 BCE)
Title
Tetradrachm of Mithradates VI of Pontus
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
96 - 95 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Pontus
Period
Hellenistic period, Late
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/196065

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
16.61 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
tetradrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Reverse Inscription: BASILEWS MITHRIDATOY EYPATOROS

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
De Callatay D16 R 7

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.165
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Diademed head of Mithradates the Great r.
Reverse: Pegasos grazing l., within an ivy wreath ; star and crescent l.; monogram at r.

Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973)

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu