coins of mithridates and the pontic kingdom:
Student-Developed Content, created by Anna, Christy, Delia, Elda and Nechama
History of Pontic Coinage:
Based on the history of The Pontic Kingdom, it appears that the first original coinage was most likely initiated during Mithridates II’s reign. Before then the coins in the region seemed to imitate previous coinage which had Alexander the Great’s image on them, a more Hellenistic style. The Pontic Kingdom’s coinage is well known for its realistic portrait features and a deep proudness of their Iranian ancestry. The images were made to portray the kings as realistic as can be and not as an ideal royal archetype. Before the fall of The Pontic Kingdom, during the reign of Mithridates V and Mithridates VI the coinage began to move towards a more Hellenistic tradition with less emphasis on their strong Iranian ancestry.
Based on the history of The Pontic Kingdom, it appears that the first original coinage was most likely initiated during Mithridates II’s reign. Before then the coins in the region seemed to imitate previous coinage which had Alexander the Great’s image on them, a more Hellenistic style. The Pontic Kingdom’s coinage is well known for its realistic portrait features and a deep proudness of their Iranian ancestry. The images were made to portray the kings as realistic as can be and not as an ideal royal archetype. Before the fall of The Pontic Kingdom, during the reign of Mithridates V and Mithridates VI the coinage began to move towards a more Hellenistic tradition with less emphasis on their strong Iranian ancestry.
The materials they used for their coinage were known to be made from new materials unlike the standard metals used (silver, gold etc). It was previously thought that the Romans were the first to introduce brass into coinage but recent research has confirmed that it was in-fact Mithridates VI who had introduced brass along with copper into coinage. Mithridates VI coins were also known to start carrying the dates on the reverse of his coins.
What is a Drachm?
The word drachm in Greek means “grasp” or “fistful”. This word was adapted to be used as a unit of currency .
Drachm’s where used as currency in Greece during the Classic, Hellenistic and Roman Period. It was a unit of money minted in metals such as silver, copper, gold etc. The value of a drachm was dependent on the quantity, quality of the metal and the different weighing standards of its specific mint location. Athenian silver drachma’s for example which weighed 4.3 grams was valued at 6 odolies, a tetradrachm that weighed 17.2 grams valued at 4 drachm’s. Also, a ½ Drachm was equivalent to 1 days work for an unskilled worker, 1 Drachm was equivalent to 1 days work for a skilled worker and for a Hoplite (soldier).
What is a Stater?
Silver and Gold Staters were also coins that had different values dependent on their weight. Athenian silver stater for example that weighed 8.6 grams was equivalent to 3 silver drachms that each weighed 2.9 grams, however the same 8.6 grams of a gold stater was equivalent to 20-28 drachms. This was due to the metal value which was a 1:10 ratio of silver to gold.
Silver Tetradrachm of Mithridates III
Date: Range from 220 BC to 185 BC
Weight & Measurements: 16.05g & 32mm diameter
Specs: Silver Tetradachm of Mithridates III portrait, on the reverse is Zeus holding an eagle in his extended right hand and in other hand a sceptre (a staff, an emblem of power). You can see the eight-rayed star and crescent (which is the Pontic Kingdom signature symbol) in the inner right portion on the coin under Zeus extended right hand.
About: Before Mithridates III, coinage mimicked those of the traditional trends in the Hellenistic world. Mithridates III ended this trend by making his own appearance on royal coins. More importantly he chose to make the images appear quite realistic. His portrait shows a man who appears to be middle aged. He has a receding hairline, an abundance of wrinkles on his forehead, in the lining of his eyes, lips and neck. You can also see hints of what appears to be his Iranian ancestry, in the bushy sideburns and tightly wounded curls of his hair. You may notice there is no representation of any divinity in his portrait differentiating his coins from Hellenistic rulers’ coins. Mithridates III did not want to continue on in the ways of Alexander the great, he was pulling away from Hellenistic foreign influence. He was very much involved in appealing to his people, and by using a realistic style, it showed his confidence in his ruler-ship.
Silver Tetradrachm of Mithridates VI
Date: Range from 120 BC to 63 BC
Weight & Measurement: 16.89g & 30mm diameter
Specs: Portrait of Mithridates VI, on reverse is stag feeding, left of the stag is the eight-rayed star in crescent and to the right of stag is the year and month, the coin is surrounded by an ivory wreath and fruit.
About: Mithridates VI’s coinage appears to return to Hellenistic influences. His image appears to be more idealistic and less realistic. The image on this coin was meant to emphasize his youth, strength and power, similar to that of Alexander. Mithridates skin looks smooth, free of wrinkles, and shows a very youthful exuberance. His hair is free, blowing in the wind and is getting lost in his royal diadem. The curls that he displays resemble that of Alexander’s signature hairstyle (anastole). His facial expression also resemble what is known as Alexanders “placid” and “forever longing” gaze, his lips are curve upwards in a slight smile similar to that of Alexander. Mithridates VI fashioned his coins in Alexander’s image. See Below!
Gold Stater of Mithridates VI
Date: Range from 120 BC to 63 BC
Weight: 8.6g
Specs: Portrait of Mithridates VI, on reverse is a stag feeding, a star in crescent, the date and month and ivory wreath with fruit. Royal minting of gold staters represent political and military unification in the Pontic Kingdom. This coin was known to be minted during wartime with Rome.
About: Mithridates VI purpose for adopting a portrait leaning more to the Hellenistic style was most likely motivated by economic concerns. Similarities to Alexander’s imperial coins implies resemblance of Mithridates VI to Alexander. Perhaps he attempted to convey resemblance to a powerful conqueror to inspire trustworthiness in times of war and instability. He meant to suggest that just like Alexander pushed the Persians out of Greece, he will liberate the Greeks from the oppression of Rome. It seems he wanted to relay an intentional message which would boost peoples courage and trust in his leadership and power..
Other: It would seem strange that during war time the government would pay attention to coinage rather than to the strategies of winning the war. Perhaps Mithridates VI intended to strengthen the coinage of the realm in order to have easy access to the regional economy. If his coins were accurately minted to the weight claimed then merchants would readily accept his coins in payment for their goods. They would be able to do more business quicker and make more profit. Focus on his fiscal policies would open up the possibility to borrow funds that would cover military expenses. Soldiers trusting in the value of his coins would believe they were well compensated and would serve royally. They would be more monetarily motivated to remain in his army and not to abandon him during difficult times. Therefor paying attention to fiscal policy during war time was a winning strategy.
Bronze Coin of Mithridates VI, Sinopes
Date: Range from 118 BC to 63 BC
Weight & Measurement: 2.94 g & 14 diameter
Specs: Laureate head of Apollo, reverse tripod
About: This Bronze coin of Sinopse demonstrate another aspect of Mithridates VI attempt to Hellenize his kingdom. Although the coins where made in different cities giving them autonomy just like those of a polis, the value of coins where standardized by Mithridates VI. Recent studies suggest that it has never been proven that these coins infact either where made in different or in the same mints and therefore we do not know Mithridates VI motives. Was he attempting to grant autonomy in the style of a polis only to give an appearance of a culture of power while harnessing his control over his kingdom or was he trying to Hellenize his kingdom.
References:
- American Numismatic Society (http://numismatics.org/search/results?q=pontus)
- Gavyushkina, Marina, The Persian Alexander: The Numismatic Portraiture of the Pontic Dynasty (file:///D:/COLLEGE/SUMMER%202019/Alexander/PROJECT/COIN2.pdf)
- Saprykin, Sergej Ju., The Unification of Pontis (file:///D:/COLLEGE/SUMMER%202019/Alexander/PROJECT/COINS.pdf)
- Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coinage_of_the_Kingdom_of_Pontus )
- de Callataÿ, Francois, The First Royal Coinage of Pontos, (http://mithridat-eupator.ru/biblioteka/Mithridates_VI_and_the_Pontic_Kingdom_Hojte_2009.pdf )
- Kruez, Patric-Alexander, Monuments for the King, (http://mithridat-eupator.ru/biblioteka/Mithridates_VI_and_the_Pontic_Kingdom_Hojte_2009.pdf )
- Højte, Jakob Munk ,The Administrative Organisation of the Pontic Kingdom, (http://mithridat-eupator.ru/biblioteka/Mithridates_VI_and_the_Pontic_Kingdom_Hojte_2009.pdf )
- Thonemann, Peter, The Hellinistic World ( https://books.google.com/books?id=LamzCwAAQBAJ&q=pontus#v=snippet&q=pontus&f=false
Pontic Kingdom 