Exceptional Large Armenian Silver Coin // Tigranes II, 95-56 BC

Ancient Armenia, Artaxiad Kingdom. King Tigranes II the Great, 95-56 BC. Large Silver Tetradrachm, struck at Tigranocerta mint, circa 80-68 BC. Encapsulated and graded Choice Very Fine by NGC. The front depicts the Diademed and draped bust of Tigranes II facing right, wearing jeweled tiara with starburst between eagles standing outward looking inward, bead-and-reel border / The back depicts the river-god, Tyche seated right on rock, palm frond in outstretched right hand, river god Orontes swimming right, OTY monogram above ΣΩ monogram on rock, within a laureate border; inscription BAΣIΛEΩΣ / TIΓPANOY (King Tigranes) to sides. Coin reference: Kovacs 75.1. AC 37 for type. Coin itself measures 27mm, weighs 15.87 grams. NGC label indications “NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 3/5, brushed”. Archival slab measures 3.125" x 2.125" x 0.375”. Very rare, and an exceptional example, far nicer in hand than the photos allow. Ex Central California collection; Ex Heritage, Texas. *** As king, Tigranes II expanded Armenia to the largest extent in its history. Tigranes' career began when Artavasdes I, the former king of Armenia, gave Tigranes to Mithradates II of Parthia as a hostage in 120 BC. Tigranes was schooled in the Parthian court until 96 BC, when Mithradates released him to be crowned as the new king of Armenia. Tigranes used his coinage as a powerful form of propaganda: to spread his likeness across his empire, and to reinforce his strong developing economy. The depiction of Halley's Comet on all his coinage illustrated his divine right as king, as the comet had crossed over the sun in August, 87 BC, right before his first major victory. Accompanied by a hand-signed certificate of authenticity which includes all the details, culture, dating, motifs/inscriptions when applicable, historical relevance, and provenance.