Artaxata 55/4 BC - 53/2 BC (Kov 213-217)

These civic coins were struck during a period when Artavasdes II produced no royal coinage in his own name. The use of Pompeian dating on both series suggests an acknowledgement of Roman authority, although Artavasdes's loyalty during this tumultuous period frequently changed. Artavasdes's royal coinage resumed shortly after the last dated civic bronze (53/2 BC) with bronze and silver coins of year 6 (51/0 BC). It is possible, alternatively, that these civic issues for the two capitals, Artagigarta (Sophene) and Artaxata (Armenia Major) were struck entirely under Roman authority during Artavasdes's absence.

The coins of Artagigarta (Kov-209-212) are identified by the city's monogram if (expanded to ΑΡΤΑΓΙΓΑΡΤΑ), and are known for two denominations (eight and four chalkoi) in both years 8 and 11. They were almost certainly produced at Artaxata, based on stylistic considerations. The coins of Artaxata (Kov-213-217) are dated not only to the Pompeian era, but also to an era of 121 BC. This latter era is based on the accession of Tigranes I, later deified by his son, Tigranes II, (see Kov-54-59) and signals either the deification of Tigranes I, or the establishment of a new dynasty, or perhaps both.

In 55/4 BC (years 10 Pompeian and 67 Tigranid) four, two, and one chalkoi are known. In 53/2 BC (years 12 and 69) eight and four chalkoi are known. On all of the Artaxata issues the city is identified as "Metropolis" (of Armenia Major).

Kovacs, Frank L. “Armenian Coinage in the Classical Period” CNS 10, Classical Numismatic Group, Lancaster, 2016, pp. 37.