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Parthia
The Parthian Drachm
The Parthians were a Hellenistic society that was a growing power in the East in the first century BC. They would become Rome's great rival during the Imperial period. Lucius Cornelius Sulla first encountered the Parthians circa 94 BC - more about this diplomatic encounter in this blog post.
The drachm, a 3-4g silver (AR) coin of Parthia and the tetradrachm (4 drachms) are the main coins that I have in my collection. There are also smaller copper coins which are fairly rare.
The two references that I use most for Parthian coins are Shore, "Ten Dragons against Rome" and Sellwood, "The Coinage of Parthia".
There is a useful introduction to Parthian Coins here.
Parthia, Phraates II, 132-126 BC
AR Drachm, Tambrax mint
Obv: Diademed bust left; TAM down right
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on omphalos, holding bow
Ref: Sellwood 16.11; Sunrise 272; Shore 50
Obv: Diademed bust left; TAM down right
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on omphalos, holding bow
Ref: Sellwood 16.11; Sunrise 272; Shore 50
Parthia, Sinatrukes, 93/2-70/69 BC
AR Drachm, Rhagae mint
Obv: Diademed bust left, wearing tiara; neck torque ends in pellet
Rev: Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow
Ref: Sellwood 33.3 (Gotarzes I); Shore 113 (Gotarzes I)
Obv: Diademed bust left, wearing tiara; neck torque ends in pellet
Rev: Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow
Ref: Sellwood 33.3 (Gotarzes I); Shore 113 (Gotarzes I)
Parthia, Arsakes XVI, circa 78/7-62/1 BC
AR Drachm, Rhagae mint
Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ == “Great King Arsakes, Son of Deified Father, (and) Just”
Ref: Sellwood 30.16
Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ == “Great King Arsakes, Son of Deified Father, (and) Just”
Ref: Sellwood 30.16
Parthia, Arsakes XVI, 78-62 BC
AR Drachm, Ecbatana mint
Obv: short bearded diademed and draped bust left, hair covering ear, torque ends in sea horse
Rev: Archer (Arsakes I) enthroned right, empty cloak sleeve pointed and reaching only to the seat level, five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ
Ref: Sellwood 30.15 (Unknown King)
Obv: short bearded diademed and draped bust left, hair covering ear, torque ends in sea horse
Rev: Archer (Arsakes I) enthroned right, empty cloak sleeve pointed and reaching only to the seat level, five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ
Ref: Sellwood 30.15 (Unknown King)
Parthia, Orodes II, circa 57-38 BC
AR Drachm, Ekbatana mint
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing torque ending in sea-horse or griffin, wart on forehead; eight-rayed star to left, crescent above eight-rayed star to right; all within pelleted border
Rev: BΛΣIΛEΩΣ/BΛΣIΛEΩN ΛPΣΛKOV EVEPΓETOV/ΔIKΛIOV EΠIΦΛNOVΣ/ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; Ekbatana monogram below bow, anchor symbol behind throne
Ref: Sellwood 48.7 (corrected: thanks to @Alwin - "anchor ii" not "anchor iv" of Sellwood); Shore 259
Notes per CNG: Parthian kings were called brothers of the sun and moon. The royal wart was the sign of true membership in the Arsakid family and was used at least as early as the time of Orodes II to establish legitimacy to the king’s claim to the throne. The “wart” is in modern terms a tricoepithelioma, a hereditary lesion on the forehead, known to be passed on for as long as one hundred years.
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing torque ending in sea-horse or griffin, wart on forehead; eight-rayed star to left, crescent above eight-rayed star to right; all within pelleted border
Rev: BΛΣIΛEΩΣ/BΛΣIΛEΩN ΛPΣΛKOV EVEPΓETOV/ΔIKΛIOV EΠIΦΛNOVΣ/ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; Ekbatana monogram below bow, anchor symbol behind throne
Ref: Sellwood 48.7 (corrected: thanks to @Alwin - "anchor ii" not "anchor iv" of Sellwood); Shore 259
Notes per CNG: Parthian kings were called brothers of the sun and moon. The royal wart was the sign of true membership in the Arsakid family and was used at least as early as the time of Orodes II to establish legitimacy to the king’s claim to the throne. The “wart” is in modern terms a tricoepithelioma, a hereditary lesion on the forehead, known to be passed on for as long as one hundred years.
Kings of Elymais, Uncertain King (successor to Kamnaskires V? Early Arsakid Kings?), Late 1st century BC-early 1st century AD
Billon Tetradrachm
Obv: Diademed bust left; behind, four-pointed star in crescent above pellet and anchor symbol
Rev: Crude diademed bust left, degraded legend
Obv: Diademed bust left; behind, four-pointed star in crescent above pellet and anchor symbol
Rev: Crude diademed bust left, degraded legend
Indo-Parthian, Margiana or Sogdiana
Unknown king, circa late 1st century BC - early 1st century AD, imitation countermarked Parthian AR Drachm of Phraates IV
Obv: Diademed bust left; "countermark": helmeted bust right; to right, eagle left, holding wreath in beak
Rev: Archer seated right on throne, holding bow
Ref: Sellwood 91.13; Shore 473
Obv: Diademed bust left; "countermark": helmeted bust right; to right, eagle left, holding wreath in beak
Rev: Archer seated right on throne, holding bow
Ref: Sellwood 91.13; Shore 473
Parthia, Phraatakes, 2BC-4AD
AR Tetradrachm 11.38g
Obv: Bare-headed bust left without royal wart, with medium pointed beard, wearing diadem, earring visible
Rev: King seated right on throne, Tyche standing before him, giving him diadem and holding cornucopia, standard legend, below Tyche's arm IT, above Tyche's arm, IT, ΓOPM(?)
Ref: Shore 312 (this coin)
Obv: Bare-headed bust left without royal wart, with medium pointed beard, wearing diadem, earring visible
Rev: King seated right on throne, Tyche standing before him, giving him diadem and holding cornucopia, standard legend, below Tyche's arm IT, above Tyche's arm, IT, ΓOPM(?)
Ref: Shore 312 (this coin)
Kings of Parthia, Artabanos II (or III or IV), Circa AD 10-38
BI Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.24 g, 12h), Seleukeia on the Tigris mint, dated Holöos 338 SE (July, AD 27) Obv: Diademed facing bust Ref: Artabanos on horseback left, receiving palm from Tyche standing right; T Λ H (year) oriented around Artabanos, monogram (month) below horse Ref: Sellwood 63.4 (Artabanos II); Shore 336 (Artabanos II), Sunrise 411 (Artabanos IV) Ex Frank S Robinson Mail Bod 32 Lot 95 May 1995
Parthia, Gotarzes II, AD 40-51
AR Tetradrachm (14.63 gm). Seleukeia mint. Struck January 355 (AD 44) ΠΕΡΙΤΙΟΥ
Obv: Diademed bust left
Rev: Seated king right, receiving diadem from Tyche
Ref: Sellwood 65.1 (January 44) (different month than the illustration that starts this post)
Obv: Diademed bust left
Rev: Seated king right, receiving diadem from Tyche
Ref: Sellwood 65.1 (January 44) (different month than the illustration that starts this post)
Parthia, Meherdates, Usurper, circa AD 49-50
Drachm, Ekbatana mint (3.5g; 20.1 mm)
Obv: Helmeted bust facing with short beard wearing diadem with loops at both sides; helmet with ornamentation horns and ear flaps. Royal wart on forehead; at each side six-pointed stars; border of dots.
Rev: Beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand bow, monogram below bow; somewhat blundered Greek legend.
Ref: Sellwood 67.1, Shore 368
Obv: Helmeted bust facing with short beard wearing diadem with loops at both sides; helmet with ornamentation horns and ear flaps. Royal wart on forehead; at each side six-pointed stars; border of dots.
Rev: Beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand bow, monogram below bow; somewhat blundered Greek legend.
Ref: Sellwood 67.1, Shore 368
Parthia, Vologases I, circa AD 51-78
BI Tetradrachm (29mm, 14.28g), Seleukeia on the Tigris mint, dated ΓΟΡΠΙΑΙΟΥ 363 SE (August AD 52)
Obv: Diademed bust left
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, Vologases enthroned facing left, receiving diadem from Tyche standing facing right, holding scepter; year above; month in exergue ΓΟΡΠΙΑΙΟΥ (August)
Translation of the legend: Of the King of Kings Arsaces, Beneficient, Just, Illustrious, Philhellene.
Ref: Sellwood 68.2; Shore 370 var.
Obv: Diademed bust left
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, Vologases enthroned facing left, receiving diadem from Tyche standing facing right, holding scepter; year above; month in exergue ΓΟΡΠΙΑΙΟΥ (August)
Translation of the legend: Of the King of Kings Arsaces, Beneficient, Just, Illustrious, Philhellene.
Ref: Sellwood 68.2; Shore 370 var.
Parthia, Pakoros I, circa AD 78-120
AR Drachm, Ekbatana mint.
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing long pointed beard
Rev: Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 78.3 (Vologases III)
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing long pointed beard
Rev: Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 78.3 (Vologases III)
Kings of Parthia, Pakoros I, AD 78-120
AR Drachm, Ekbatana, Obv: Diademed head to left, with long beard, earring visible
Rev: Archer (Arsakes I) seated to right, no throne base visible, holding bow; monogram below bow.
Ref: Sellwood 78.3 (Vologases III); Shore 413 (same); Sunrise -. 3.34g, 19mm, 12h.
Rev: Archer (Arsakes I) seated to right, no throne base visible, holding bow; monogram below bow.
Ref: Sellwood 78.3 (Vologases III); Shore 413 (same); Sunrise -. 3.34g, 19mm, 12h.
Parthian Empire, Sanatrukes / Parthamaspates, c. AD 116
Parthian Empire, Sanatrukes / Parthamaspates (c. AD 116), AR Drachm, 3.85g, Ekbatana
Obv: diademed bust left, wearing tiara with earflaps
Rev: archer seated right on throne, holding bow, monogram beneath bow
Obv: diademed bust left, wearing tiara with earflaps
Rev: archer seated right on throne, holding bow, monogram beneath bow
Kings of Parthia, Vologases III, BI Tetradrachm, Seleukeia on the Tigris, year 435 (AD 123)
Vologases III (c. AD 105-147), BI Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.49g, 12h), Seleukeia on the Tigris, year 435 (AD 123)
Obv: Diademed and draped bust l., wearing tiara; A behind.
Rev: Vologases seated left, receiving wreath from Tyche standing right, holding sceptre
Ref: Sellwood 79.13
Obv: Diademed and draped bust l., wearing tiara; A behind.
Rev: Vologases seated left, receiving wreath from Tyche standing right, holding sceptre
Ref: Sellwood 79.13
Parthia, Vologases IV, AD 147-191
BI Tetradrachm
Seleukeia on the Tigris, Seleukid year ςoy (476) month AΠEΛAIoY (November). The new year begins in October AD 164.
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing tiara; B behind
Rev: Vologases seated left on throne, Tyche standing right before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre
Ref: Shore 427
Seleukeia on the Tigris, Seleukid year ςoy (476) month AΠEΛAIoY (November). The new year begins in October AD 164.
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing tiara; B behind
Rev: Vologases seated left on throne, Tyche standing right before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre
Ref: Shore 427
Kings of Parthia, Vologases IV, AD 147-191, Sellwood 84.83 (June AD 180)
BI Tetradrachm, 26mm, 12.95g, 12h, Seleukeia on the Tigris, year ΠANHM BΦV 492 of the Seleucid Era (June AD 180)
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left., wearing tiara; B behind
Rev: Vologases seated left on throne, Tyche standing right before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre, month below. Sellwood 84.83. VF
Ref: Sellwood 84.83 ΠANHM BΦV
Note: ex London Ancient Coins, ex Bertolami, from The Simonetta Collection of Parthian coins, ex Beirut Lebanon, ex Aradus, Syria.
Obv: Diademed and draped bust left., wearing tiara; B behind
Rev: Vologases seated left on throne, Tyche standing right before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre, month below. Sellwood 84.83. VF
Ref: Sellwood 84.83 ΠANHM BΦV
Note: ex London Ancient Coins, ex Bertolami, from The Simonetta Collection of Parthian coins, ex Beirut Lebanon, ex Aradus, Syria.
Vologases VI, 208-228 AD, Sellwood 88.3-4.
Billon Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.57g, 12h). Struck 209-210 AD.
Obv: Bust left with long pointed beard, wearing diademed tiara with horn and long curved earflap, earring, and necklace; B behind
Rev: King seated left on throne, receiving diadem from Tyche holding sceptre; (off-flan Seleukid date) between
Ref: Shore 451; Sellwood 88.3-4.
Obv: Bust left with long pointed beard, wearing diademed tiara with horn and long curved earflap, earring, and necklace; B behind
Rev: King seated left on throne, receiving diadem from Tyche holding sceptre; (off-flan Seleukid date) between
Ref: Shore 451; Sellwood 88.3-4.
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