Among the most iconic coins of ancient Armenia, the silver tetradrachm of King Tigranes II—better known as Tigranes the Great—stands as a powerful testament to a golden era of Armenian sovereignty, military strength, and cultural renaissance.
Who Was Tigranes the Great?
Ruling from 95 to 55 BCE, Tigranes the Great elevated Armenia into a formidable empire stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caspian. Under his reign, Armenia became a key player between Rome and Parthia, and Tigranes was recognized as one of the most ambitious and capable rulers of the Hellenistic world.
His coins were not just monetary tools but potent symbols of power and propaganda.
The Coin’s Design: A Royal Portrait in Silver
The tetradrachm features a striking portrait of Tigranes II facing right, wearing a distinctive Armenian tiara—a royal headdress adorned with five peaks and a central star flanked by eagles. This crown symbolized divine favor and Armenian kingship.
The level of detail on the portrait is remarkable: the stylized beard, the high cheekbones, and the stern, proud expression all combine to project the image of a strong and authoritative monarch. The surrounding Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ, translating to “Of King Tigranes.”
On the reverse, many types of Tigranes’ tetradrachms show the goddess Tyche seated on a rock, holding a palm branch, with the river god Araxes flowing beneath her feet—a nod to the capital city, Artaxata, and the rich geography of Armenia.
