Another recent win from Frank Robinson: Parthian Kingdom, Seleucia-on-Tigris mint. AR tetradrachm. Vardanes II (55-58 AD), dated 368 Seleucid Era (=56/7 AD). Obverse: Diademed bust left. Reverse: Seated king receives diadem from Tyche; standard legend around, year 368 between Tyche's and king's heads, month off flan in exergue. Sellwood 69.7-9, Shore 382v. Almost nothing is known about Vardanes II. He appears to have been a son of Vologases I (51-78 AD) who rebelled against his father. Even his regnal dates are known only from his coins. Based on the fact that he issued coins from both Seleukia-on-Tigris in Mesopotamia and Ecbatana in Iran proper, he seems to have controlled a large territory, at least for a little while. Since so little is known about the king, my main reason for buying it was artistic. Although the portrait is not particularly realistic, I do find it aesthetically pleasing. I also like the fact that the king's face on the reverse matches his portrait from the obverse- whoever engraved the dies was paying attention. Fred Shore, in his book, points out that you can see the king's sideburns as well as his beard, which is unusual in Parthian portraits. Post your Parthian tetradrachms, or anything else relevant.
Mine is a Vardanes I also from a FSR sale but long ago when a very little money would fetch a month date (June) as long as you could deal with some wear.
ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Roughly: King of Kings Arsaces, Benefactor, Just, God Manifest, Friend of the Greeks
Thanks @Bob L. for covering this while I was still asleep. I don't usually bother writing out the standard legend when I post a Parthian coin, because it tells us nothing useful or specific to the particular king who issued that coin. Vonones I holds a special place in my heart for instead using the concise and informative legend "King Vonones, Conqueror of Artabanos".
