During the reign of Armenian King Tigran II the Great (reigned 95 – 55 BC), a plethora of coins in his honor has been issued in Armenia. And for a good reason: Tigran II has been the most successful Armenian king! The coins mostly feature the same outlines of the king’s profile, which allows us to think that that’s what King Tigran actually looked like.
Under Tigran II the Great, the Armenian Kingdom reached its greatest territorial extent, allowing Tigran to receive the title King of Kings. Tigran II conquered and dismissed most of Media and captured Judea. He also annexed Atropatene, Corduene, Adiabene, as well as Osroene. Upon receiving the title King of Kings, Tigran built the new capital city of Armenia Tigranocerta at the border between Armenia and Mesopotamia.
An excellent example of Tigran’s coins: profile of Tigran on the right; the Tyche of Antioch sitting on a rock and god Orontes swimming on the left.Tigranes II “The Great,” 95-56 BC. Bronze two-chalci coin. Diademed and draped bust right, wearing Armenian tiara; star flanked by eagles on the tiara / Palm-branch straight up, BASILEUS TIGRANOY. 16 mm, 4.64 g. ref: AC-110. Fantastic portrait!Tigranes II “The Great,” 95-56 BC. Bronze one-chalcus coin. His diademed and draped bust right, wearing Armenian tiara, countermark to left / Nike advancing left, TIGRANOY AG. Coin 16 mm, 3.64 g. ref: AC-79. Entire piece 18 mm dia. Great portrait. Set into a stunning custom .925 silver bezel. Nice!Tigranes II “The Great,” 95-56 BC. Bronze one-chaclus coin. Diademed and draped bust right, wearing five-pointed Armenian tiara with star / Cornucopiae to right; BASILEWS BASILEON TIGPANOY, TP monogram and A below. 14 mm, 2.48 g. ref: Nercessian ACV 94. Olive-green patina with light earthen deposits, excellent detail! Rough photo. ex-Frank S. Robinson, Albany, NY.Tigranes II “The Great,” 95-56 BC. Large bronze four-chalci coin. Diademed and draped bust right, wearing Armenian tiara / Nike advancing left, holding wreath, BASILEUS TIGRANOY. 20 mm, 7.71 g. ref: AC-77. Nice portrait, olive-green patina with earthen deposits.Tigranes II “The Great,” 95-56 BC. Large bronze four-chalci coin. Diademed and draped bust right, wearing 4-pointed Armenian tiara / Tyche seated right, holding palm branch; river-god Orontes swimming at her feet, BASILEUS BASILEON TIGRANOY. 22 mm, 5.21 g. ref: AC-59. Overstruck over an Arados, Phoenicia issue of 85-84 BC