I have contacted Francois de
Callatay the author of "Les Guerres Mithradatique.................." 1997. The expert on Mithraditic silver .
I also have zero
French.
John Arnold Nisbet
Dear Francois,
Good day,l
A question about the designation of the "Athenian era" on Mithradtic tetradrachms.
A coin sold in the
New York auction is described as such;
Pontic Kingdom. Mithradates VI
Eupator. Silver
Tetradrachm (16.87 g), 120-63 BC. Year 4 of the Pompeian era, 85/4 BC. Diademed
head of Mithradates VI right.
Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ MIΘPAΔATOY EYΠATOPOΣ, Stag standing left, grazing; in left
field,
star and crescent; in right
field, date (Δ) above
monogram; all within Dionysiac
wreath of ivy and fruits. Callataÿ p. 23, pl. XIII. Boldly struck and lightly
toned.
Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - UP
Peter Corcoran
Collection, Purchased privately from M&M
Numismatics in April 1995.
It, of course, cannot be the Pomponian era which was a consequence of Pompey replacing Lucullus during the 3rd Mithradatic war 73-63 BC and I have seen such coins referred to as the Athenian era. It surely cannot be from the
Pergamon mint because Fimbria took it in 85 bc and coins definitely from
Pergamon with it's recognisable
mint mark are known and the dates are Bithynian-Pontic era based on the
Seleucid era.
The coin with the stag suceeded the drinking
pegasos I think in c 88/7 BC after the asiatic vespers .
So where and when is this coin.
If you can
help I would be grateful, the answer might be your book, "Les Guerres Mithradatique......." but my
French is non-existant and
google translate is not adequate.
Thank you,
John Nisbet
Coventry,
UK