Nomos 37

KINGS OF PONTOS. Mithradates VI Eupator, circa 120-63 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 33 mm, 16.69 g, 12 h), Pergamon, Dated month Θ = 9, of the year HΣ = 208 of the Bithyno-Pontic era = June 89 BC. Diademed head of Mithridates VI to right, with long side burns and a realistic expression. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / MIΘPAΔATOY / EYΠATOPOΣ Pegasos grazing to left; in the field to left, star above crescent; in the field to right, ΗΣ above elaborate monogram; below, Θ; all within a Dionysiac ivy wreath. Callataÿ (D47/R5, g, this coin). HGC 7, 338. SNG von Aulock 6678 (same dies). With an excellent portrait, well-centered on a broad flan and attractively toned. Minor marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the Celestial collection, Switzerland, ex Bourgey, 4 May 1987, 48.

When this portrait of Mithradates was made the king would have been about 45-years old; thus, what we have is a head that is both idealised and somewhat rejuvenated! Yet, it also probably gives us an accurate picture of what he actually looked like, at least at some point in his life (and was certainly how he wanted to be portrayed to his subjects). It is interesting that his more common numismatic portraits are blander and have less personality .