Tigranes I The God (Kov 54-59)
Description
After the death of Tigranes I his son and successor Tigranes II proclaimed him a god and struck a series of coins to commemorate the event. These coins (Early Series nos. 54-56) were probably the first struck by the new king at his capital Artaxata around 95 BC. The deification of Tigranes I also marked the beginning of an era dated to his accession in 121 BC.
The later series (nos. 57-59) honoring "Tigranes the God" is more difficult to date. While consistent with the issues of Tigranes II at Tigranocerta, these coins bear no mint marks. The probable reason for this is that as "restored" types it would have been inauthentic to add elements not found on the earlier coins. As to the date of issue, two events seem equally logical for such a commemoration: 1) the inaugural issue of coins for Tigranes II's new capital Tigranocerta ca. 80 BC, or 2) his twentieth year celebration in 76 BC when he associated his son Tigranes the Younger with him as co-regent.
The coins of both early and late series are rare, and not all of the types may have survived. Both series include horse and Nike reverse types, while the elephant type is known only for the early series and the lion's head is known only for the late series. In both series the legends conform to the Parthian square arrangement, which would have been "politically correct" while Tigranes II was a Parthian vassal, but not necessarily for the later issue. In the latter case it is likely that the square arrangement was simply a faithful imitation, rather than a political statement.
Kovacs, Frank L. “Armenian Coinage in the Classical Period” CNS 10, Classical Numismatic Group, Lancaster, 2016, pp. 11.
The later series (nos. 57-59) honoring "Tigranes the God" is more difficult to date. While consistent with the issues of Tigranes II at Tigranocerta, these coins bear no mint marks. The probable reason for this is that as "restored" types it would have been inauthentic to add elements not found on the earlier coins. As to the date of issue, two events seem equally logical for such a commemoration: 1) the inaugural issue of coins for Tigranes II's new capital Tigranocerta ca. 80 BC, or 2) his twentieth year celebration in 76 BC when he associated his son Tigranes the Younger with him as co-regent.
The coins of both early and late series are rare, and not all of the types may have survived. Both series include horse and Nike reverse types, while the elephant type is known only for the early series and the lion's head is known only for the late series. In both series the legends conform to the Parthian square arrangement, which would have been "politically correct" while Tigranes II was a Parthian vassal, but not necessarily for the later issue. In the latter case it is likely that the square arrangement was simply a faithful imitation, rather than a political statement.
Kovacs, Frank L. “Armenian Coinage in the Classical Period” CNS 10, Classical Numismatic Group, Lancaster, 2016, pp. 11.
Collection Items
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Collection Tree
- ANCIENT
- Armenia Major
- Tigranes I The God (Kov 54-59)
- Armenia Major