Why did I buy this group lot?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Parthicus, Apr 2, 2023.

  1. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    I won this group lot of 2 Parthian drachms and 3 Bactrian silvers (2 square drachms, 1 obol) in the latest Stephen Album auction. Just for fun, I thought I'd see if anyone can guess why I was interested in this particular lot. Please be specific (i.e., not just "Because you like Parthian coins.")
    group lot.jpg
     
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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    The lower left coin, because it has a horseman reverse? I know nothing about Bactrias, so that's my guess.
     
  4. Pellinore

    Pellinore Well-Known Member

    Of these five, I would have been most interested in the obol.
     
  5. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    The Elephant.
     
    Jims Coins likes this.
  6. Cherd

    Cherd Junior Member

    I'm sure that there is some nuanced thing that drew you to the lot. But, personally, I'm really liking the coin in the bottom right. Being square alone is interesting, but animal depictions are also always fun on coins and this one is rocking that on both sides!
     
  7. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    The small one in the middle?:cool:
     
  8. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    Not sure - but there is something unusual about the top left drachm....
    Sinatruces (77-70 BC) AR Drachm Mint: Rhagae
    Sellwood 34.4 variant (anchor erased; legend i)

    Others look less interesting.

    Oh, and because you like Parthian coins.
    Phraates IV Laodicea.jpg
     
    ancient times and Parthicus like this.
  9. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    Thanks for your guesses everyone. As @Alwin has already guessed in the other forum, the reason I decided to bid was because of the Parthian drachm in the upper right. It is a common emperor (Phraates IV) but the mintmark is Aria, which is rather rare and worth a premium. I also liked the Bactrian coin with the elephant, and the obol is a nice surprise (the obverse wasn't very clear in the auction photo), but I always seek out Parthian coins from rare mints, so I placed a healthy bid on this lot, and was fortunate to win.

    Oh, and the other Parthian coin? It is actually a known fake type that mules a Sellwood 28 obverse and Sellwood 33 reverse. An example of this fake was in Sellwood's collection, and was not recognized as fake at the time- it sold at auction for $1,300! Mine is a double die link for that coin (unsurprising as the original forgers used one mismatched set of dies)- @Alwin has logged 16 examples of this fake. Sad to see it showing up in a reputable auction, even buried in a group lot.
     
  10. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    Ugh :yuck: glad I didn't try buying that one for $1300 - congrats on the rare mint @Parthicus.
     
    Pellinore likes this.
  11. GinoLR

    GinoLR Well-Known Member

    Aaaah yes!...

    I thought it was because with the two square drachms you could make a Poros decadrachm, before upgrading some day...

    poros.jpg
     
  12. Jims Coins

    Jims Coins Well-Known Member

    My guess also
     
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