Tigranes II 'the Great' 95-65 BC, silver Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta

Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II 'the Great' (95-55BC) silver Tetradrachm. Tigranokerta c. 80-68 BC, diademed and draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around. Rev. Tyche of Artaxata seated to right on rock pile, holding palm branch, river god Araxes swimming to right below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ TIΓPANOY, AP monogram to inner right, ΔΗ monogram on rock; all within wreath, 15.63g, 10h, (Kovacs 74.1; SCADA, Group 1; CAA 17.). Lightly toned, about extremely fine.

Tigranes II, known as the Great, was King of Armenia from 95 to 55 BC and became one of the most powerful rulers in the eastern Mediterranean. During his reign, he greatly expanded the Armenian kingdom, conquering territories in Syria, Mesopotamia and parts of Anatolia. He established a large empire and founded the city of Tigranocerta, which became an important centre of his kingdom. Tigranes also formed an alliance with Mithridates VI of Pontus, who was his father-in-law, and became involved in conflicts with Rome. However, his expansion brought him into direct conflict with the Roman general Lucullus, who defeated Tigranes at the Battle of Tigranocerta in 69 BC. Tigranes later surrendered to Pompey in 66 BC and agreed to give up much of his conquered territory while remaining king of Armenia. Despite these losses, he remained on the throne until his death in 55 BC, and his reign is remembered as the high point of Armenian power in the ancient world.

The reverse legend BAΣIΛEΩΣ TIΓPANOY translate to "Of King Tigranes."