Big puffy hair

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Parthicus, Oct 8, 2016.

  1. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    I've been cataloguing my Parthian collection lately, and I was really struck by this coin:
    Osroes I.jpg
    It's a drachm of Osroes I (109- 129 AD). Notice the big tufts of hair on the side and top of his head. I assume that all that hair is supposed to show us how virile and strong the king is (think of Samson, whose strength depended on his long hair). However, to me it just makes him look like a French poodle. Thoughts? Any other notable hair on coin portraits?
     
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  3. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Ummm, does big helmet-head count?

    Islamic, Anatolia & al-Jazira, AE30
    1170-1180 AD
    Young male with winged figures
    Islamic Anatolia & al-Jazira.jpg

    Ionia, Klazomenai, AE19
    400-350 BC
    Athena & Ram with Trophy
    Ionia Klazomenai.jpg

    Troas, Sigeion, AE20
    400-200 BC
    Athena & Two-bodied Owl
    Troas Sigeion.jpg

    ... if not, I'll delete 'em
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2016
  4. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    I like the weird forward-facing owl on the third coin, so I'll allow it :woot:. I think the first coin you posted is from the Zangids of Mosul, correct? Where are the other two from? (That portrait looks vaguely familiar, but I'm drawing a blank.)
     
    stevex6 likes this.
  5. Hommer

    Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage

    Cool, kinda reminds me of Don King.
     
  6. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Of all the Parthians I do not have, I really would like the Vologases V facing bust.
    https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=49598
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Ajax

    Ajax Well-Known Member

    Hey Steve whats the first coin??
     
  8. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Hey, I updated my coins' info (please see above) ... sorry, I was in a bit of a hurry to pass-out last night, so I must have rushed that last post?
     
    Ajax likes this.
  9. Bob L.

    Bob L. Well-Known Member

    Yes, Parthicus! Some of those guys of the Arsacid line – both in Parthia proper and in Elymais – had wacky, puffy tripartite hair. Some of my examples (obverses only), below

    Osroes I (Parthia) drachm
    OsroesIdrachm.jpg

    Vologases V (Parthia) tets and a drachm
    Volo5coins.jpg

    Orodes IV (Elymais) drachms
    OroIVobv.jpg

    Orodes V (Elymais) drachm
    OroVdrachm.jpg

    And the KING OF KINGS OF WACKY HAIR…Kamnaskires-Orodes (Elymais)! Two drachms and two tets:
    KOdrachmsObv.jpg
    KOtetsObv.jpg
     
  10. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    WOW, Bob-- those are the best Elymais coins I've seen. Dang!!
     
  11. Bob L.

    Bob L. Well-Known Member

    Hey, thanks, TIF!
     
  12. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    Bob L.: Lots of great examples there! Here's my Vologases V drachm and tet:
    Vologases V.jpg
    I think Vol V's portrait on the tet is less silly-looking than the Osroes I, if only because the top hair poof gets cut off the edge of the flan. But the front-facing drachm portrait somehow looks even sillier than Osroes'. And those last four Elymaeans you posted look ready to form a heavy metal band!
     
    Pishpash, stevex6, Alegandron and 2 others like this.
  13. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    Hey Bob, I love the facing-bust tets. They are not easy to find. Congrats!
     
  14. Bob L.

    Bob L. Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Valentinian (and Parthicus)! If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Aramaic legends on those Kamnaskires-Orodes tets translates as something like "wet finger in an electrical outlet." (Kinda makes sense given the portraits)
     
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