2016-06-02 Thu

During a CNG auction that was held on 18th May, a circa 390 to 370 B.C silver stater issued by the emperor Mithrapata was sold for a dream price of $3,250 , crossing its estimate value of $3,000. The reverse features the portrait of King Mithrapata and a lion is depicted on the obverse.

To illustrate rulers on coinage was a tradition that was first believed by experts to have originated during the Lycian era. By the end of the fifth century, innovative yet static forms were depicted on coins which did not have the characteristics of a particular ruler. But over the next half century more realistic imagery was portrayed on coins issued by Mithrapata and Perikles in the early-mid 4th century B.C. The one that was sold at the auction clearly illustrates the features of an aged Mithrapata.

The trend was continued by his successors but the portraits on the later coins had a dramatic facing position and were moved to the obverse of the coin. These kings do not have the satrapal headgear in the portraits which suggests that they ruled independently and were not under the Persian king. When Maussollos of Caria invaded the region in 360 B.C, these coins were no longer minted.