Mithradates II Philopator c. 89-85 BC (Kov 33-36)
Description
After the departure of his elder brother Arkathias, Mithradates (BNP [7]) was given control of Sophene. There was, however, tension between Mithradates and his father Mithradates VI Eupator which may have prompted the son to adopt the title ''philopator." Philopator petitioned his father for control of the strategically and commercially important province of Colchis, which apparently only increased Eupator's suspicion of his son. Shortly after this request Mithradates VI had Philopator killed.
Mithradates's first issues employ the obverse dies of Arkathias, but with the reverses inscribed with his own name. His second issue is distinguished by better style and the addition of the epithet Philopator (variously abbreviated). A large percentage of Arkathias's coins as well as those of Mithradates's early issues are countermarked MIΘ (sometimes crudely) for continued use by Philopator. Philpator's own coinage consists of only two types (so far as is known), a club or club in a wreath perhaps owing to his short reign and the turbulent times. The coins, however, are not especially rare.
Kovacs, Frank L. “Armenian Coinage in the Classical Period” CNS 10, Classical Numismatic Group, Lancaster, 2016, pp. 6.
Mithradates's first issues employ the obverse dies of Arkathias, but with the reverses inscribed with his own name. His second issue is distinguished by better style and the addition of the epithet Philopator (variously abbreviated). A large percentage of Arkathias's coins as well as those of Mithradates's early issues are countermarked MIΘ (sometimes crudely) for continued use by Philopator. Philpator's own coinage consists of only two types (so far as is known), a club or club in a wreath perhaps owing to his short reign and the turbulent times. The coins, however, are not especially rare.
Kovacs, Frank L. “Armenian Coinage in the Classical Period” CNS 10, Classical Numismatic Group, Lancaster, 2016, pp. 6.
