Tigranes VI 60-62, 66/7 AD (Kov 196-198; 200-202)

Tigranes VI. First reign before 60-62 AD or later.

Tigranes VI, the great-grandson of Herod the Great, was made king by Nero around AD 60 after spending most of his life as a royal hostage in Rome. His reign is sometimes considered a failure, but his attack on Adiabene and successful defense of Tigranocerta suggest his significance in Nero's eastern strategy. Tigranes's coins depict different titles based on his administrative duties, with "megas" possibly referring to his rule over both Armenia Major and Sophene. The mint for these coins is uncertain, but their style and fabric resemble those of his uncle, Tigranes V, likely originating from the same mint, probably Artagigarta.

Tigranes VI. Second reign, 66/7 AD

Tigranes VI, often dismissed as an insignificant Roman client, actually played a crucial role in the reconquest of Armenia for Nero. Instead of vanishing in AD 62, he maintained a presence in Sophene and Aradian Peraea. Coins from AD 66/7 indicate Tigranes's anticipation of a victorious return to Armenia Major, but full-scale war in Judaea halted the campaign. His son, Julius Alexander, later became king of Cietis under Vespasian. Tigranes's coins, struck in three denominations, feature jugate portraits of him and his wife wearing a Phrygian cap. The Tyche of Aradus on the tetrachalkon's reverse and the Aradian era date suggest the mint was in Aradus or one of its mainland ports, such as Came or Gabala.