Here is a new Parthian I picked up, this is of Vologases IV. Although it isn't perfect, for $40 total, I think it was a decent price. I know @dougsmit & @chrsmat71 have nicer ones. AR Tetradrachm O: Diademed bust left, wearing long beard, earring, and tiara decorated with “hooks”; B to right; all within pelleted border. O: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΟΛΟΓΑΣΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣΣ) (month) in exergue.king enthroned to right receiving diadem from Tyche holding sceptre. Dated 495 ΕϘΥ ΑΠΕΛ (183 AD) Seleucia mint 25mm 10.96 Sellwood 84.96-103 cf. Shore 432.
Mine isn't fantatic, but it is still one of my favorite coins! Vologases IV, Tetradrachm. 147-191 AD O: Diademed bust left, wearing tiara; B behind / Greek legend, Vologases seated left on throne, Tyche standing right before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre; year (Seleucid 464, 152 AD), month below (November),Seleucia on the Tigris mint, 26 mm, 13.6 g. Sellwood 84.12-5; Shore 427.
One of my favorite Parthians! Kings of 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 Rev Legend: from top, on four sides, only partially visible ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ _ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ _ (AΠEΛAIoY) _ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ - OΛΑΓΑΣΟΥ -----------------ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ King of Kings Arsakes Vologases (November) Illustrious Greek-loving
Great and interesting coin, @Mat ! I’ve sold off all of my Parthians to fund my acquisition of Judaean coins. If I were to purchase 1 Parthian coin, it would probably be the one featuring Mithradates II. My favorite of his coins is the one where he’s wearing a headband and his hair is visible.
Nice pickup and a great price, @Mat . I do not know a lot about the history behind the Parthian and Persis empires. Parthia Mithradates III 58-55 BCE AR Drachm 3.9g 20mm Rhagae mint star archer bashlyk throne bow Selwood 41-12
Congrats, Mat. What a great price for a Parthian tet. Well played. Here are my favorite Volo IV's. The bottom two have the distinction of having formerly resided in the collection of that guy whose post is right above this one. (And six more of my coins have that same pedigree, I'm happy to say)
I'm late coming to this post, but better late than never . The Parthian Tet below I won at CNG Triton VII Auction, January 12, 2004, for $335.00. CNG wrote a short article in their Historical Article section on the coin, see the link below the coin. In January of 2018, I had Heritage auction the coin with most of my Parthian coins, & it sold for a paltry $228.00 . I don't know if it was bad timing or just bad luck, but I wasn't happy with the result. https://www.cngcoins.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=332
It's never too late for another Parthian Tetradrachm. Here's another Gotarzes II: Kings of Parthia, Gotarzes II, 40-51 AD. Billon Tetradrachm (14.63 gm). Seleukeia mint. Struck year 355 (January AD 43/44) ΠΕΡΙΤΙΟΥ ENT Obv: Diademed bust left Rev: Seated king right, receiving diadem from Tyche