Two new Parthians from scarce mints

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Parthicus, Jun 30, 2018.

  1. Pellinore

    Pellinore Well-Known Member

    Here are some of the nicest AE Parthians that I have.

    A bronze of Phriapatius (185-170); AE chalkous, Hekatompylos mint. Obv. Head left with bashlyk. Rev. Horse prancing right under text. 18 mm, 2.1 gr. 12h. Sellwood 8.2 (Mithradates I); Sunrise 249; Shore 22. VF, glossy black patina, hint of deposits, some smoothing in fields. It was not cheap at a CNG auction.

    5147 Parth AE Priapath.jpg

    Underneath, this is Phraates II, with his short beard. Nice proudly trotting horse! Somehow most of the lettering has gone. But the coin is better than on my photograph.
    Phraates II (138-127), AE chalkous. Obv. Bearded portrait with diademe to the left Rev. Horse to the right. Sellwood 16.30. 13 mm, 1.35 gr. I couldn't identify the monogram behind the horse.

    5113 Phraates II ae.jpg

    The third coin is very sharp and clear, whereas often these chalkoi are worn. An unusual tiny coin I think, with its female portrait on the reverse.
    Osroes I (109-129). AE chalkous. Obv. King with pointed beard to the left. Rev. Tyche to the right, year ZKY = 427 (=AD 115). 11 mm, 1.55 gr. Sellwood 80.20.

    5168 s.jpg

    This last one is a tiny coin of Vologases VI, the last Parthian king, who was vanquished by Ardashir I the Sasanian in the early third century.
    I bought it on Ebay some years ago from a venerable Oriental collector, but it was sold in a lot of the Triton VII auction (2004) and was formerly in the Bellaria collection. I didn't know at the time, but it's on this page (full of remarkable Parthians) as nr. 21896. (Thanks, Bob L., for that information, that gave my collection of Parthians quite a boost!)
    AE chalkous. Obv: Bust with long beard in tiara with long earflaps. At the back of the head, loop ending in two pendulous ends. Rev.: eagle looking to left with spread wings, wreath in beak. Excentrical, higher space empty. 10 x 11 mm, 0,87 gr. Sellwood 88.29.

    Vologases VI chalkous.jpg
     
    Jwt708, Parthicus, Curtisimo and 5 others like this.
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  3. arashpour

    arashpour Well-Known Member


    I also have only one partrhian Bronze of Mithridates II with an elephant on the back but the coin is so tiny and dark that I don't even know how to take a clear picture of it to post here
     
  4. Bob L.

    Bob L. Well-Known Member

    Pellinore, along with Sellwood, Shore, and Sunrise numbers, one often sees Parthian coins listed with "PDC" (Parthia.com) #'s. Therefore be sure to show off a bit by listing that Volo VI chalkous not only as "ex-Bellaria Collection" (a pedigree which is impressive in itself) but specifically as "PDC 21896 (this coin)." I know you mentioned the listing number in your post, above, but I recommend this particular wording for your records...In the world of Parthian collecting, it's meaningful to own a "PDC" database coin.
     
    Pellinore likes this.
  5. Pellinore

    Pellinore Well-Known Member

    That’s great, Bob. I’m going to pay more attention to my Parthians.
     
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