DYNASTS of LYCIA. Mithrapata. Circa 390-370 BC. AR Stater (23.5mm, 9.76 g, 11h). Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 285. Estimated: $ 2 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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DYNASTS of LYCIA. Mithrapata. Circa 390-370 BC. AR Stater (23.5mm, 9.76 g, 11h). Facing lion scalp, M horizontally oriented on right cheek; triskeles below / Head of Mithrapata left; MITHRAPATA (in Lycian) around, triskeles to lower right; all within incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 7 (O4/R5); Podalia 72–4 (A6/P6); Müseler VII, 72 (same dies); Falghera –; SNG Copenhagen Supp. –; SNG von Aulock 4239 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 658 (rev., same die). Deeply toned, minor die wear, light doubling on reverse. Good VF. Well centered on a broad flan.

From the Collection of Emeritus Professor N. Keith Rutter. Ex London Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 115, 16 September 2020), lot 255, purchased from Peter Weiss, December 1996.

The portraits on coins in the later Lycian series are among the finest of the Classical period. Among the earliest to attempt depictions of their rulers on coinage, the Lycians' first portraits in the later 5th century BC were innovative, but static, idealized forms lacking individual characterization. Over the next half-century, however, the style progressed significantly toward realism, culminating in the issues of the dynasts Mithrapata and Perikles in the early-mid 4th century BC. The coins of Mithrapata came first, depicting on their reverse the profile portrait of a man with distinctive elderly features. Through the relative chronology established in L. Mildenberg's die study, one can even see the portrait become more aged as time progressed, reflecting the realism that had been captured in these issues. The coins of Perikles, Mithrapata's successor, continue this trend. Interestingly, both Mithrapata and Perikles are depicted without any sort of satrapal headgear, which was always included in earlier Lycian portraits, perhaps indicating that they had declared their independence from the Persian king. Unfortunately, these astonishing developments in portraiture came to an abrupt end in Lycia when Maussolos of Caria invaded the region circa 360 BC.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session One – Lot 1-301 will be held Tuesday morning, 13 January 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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