Parthicus presents: Top 10 of 2019

Since everyone else is doing their year-end Top 10 retrospectives, I guess it's time for mine. The year started out slowly for me, mainly due to some health issues that have since gotten better, but I ended up with a number of nice new acquisitions by the end. Three of the coins below (#3, 5, and 6) are from the Baltimore show in November, and I haven't had a chance to give them the individual write-ups they deserve yet, but I promise to do those write-ups eventually, even if it takes into the new year. So, let's go on to the main event. The numbering is fairly arbitrary, except that #1 is definitely my top coin of the year.

1. Parthia, Phraatakes and Musa (c.1-4 AD) drachm. One of the most fascinating stories in Parthian history, this former slave girl-concubine turned queen and her son/husband ( ) managed to hold power for a while before being overthrown by the nobles. An amazing historical story, rare coin type, and a scarce mint (Susa) to boot.

2. Parthia, Mithradates I (171-138 BC) cut 1/3 drachm. The coin itself is a scarce and historical type (in fine Hellenistic style) struck to commemorate the Parthian takeover of the city of Seleukia-on-the-Tigris. But the fact that this coin was cut apart for small change in ancient times gives us information about how coins were used, and indicates the local need for smaller denominations that was not being met.

3. Sasanian Empire, Hormazd IV (579-590 AD), drachm. Not a particularly pretty coin for its type, but notable for its mintmark, ZwZwN. This mintmark is known only for Hormazd IV, and some researchers think it was a city in the northern provinces, but at least one believes it is actually the denomination of the coin.

4. Parthia, Phraates II (c.138-127 BC). Tambrax mint. A very distinctive portrait, and also noteworthy as part of a series showing the king's progress through different cities as he chased away marauding Sakas.

5. Roman Republic. Marcus Aemilius Scaurus and Publius Plautius Hypsaeus (58 BC). The reverse depicts King Aretas of Nabataea kneeling next to a camel, and is a tiny document recording the expansion of Roman power in the East.

6. Parthia, Gotarzes II (40-51 AD) tetradrachm. This coin is multiply struck on both obverse and reverse, which creates a nice overall effect (to my mind, anyway).

7. Mauryan Empire, time of Samprati (c.224-215 BC). This Indian punchmarked coin has a very interesting design of three human figures. I tried to find out what humans or gods they are supposed to represent, and didn't get any conclusive answers, but along the way learned a lot about how scholars study these enigmatic coins with no inscriptions.

8. Parthia, Arsakes II (c.211-191 BC). Parthian bronze is scarce, and early Parthian bronze especially so. The portrait on this coin is not bad, and the reverse shows the king's name written mirror-reversed, which is surprisingly common on the earliest Parthian coins. (Guess the celators were still getting used to reversing their carvings for the coin dies.)

9. Parthia, Phraates IV (38-2 BC). I love the portrait on this coin- highly stylized to emphasize the king's cruel and fierce nature. Look at that face- you would not want to mess with this man. I also like the double-struck reverse that looks as though the inscription is falling off the coin. (I guess I have a fondness for double-struck Parthian coins (see also #6 above). You got a problem with that? )

10. Parthia, Orodes II (57-38 BC), Susa mint. A scarce mint, and a very nice portrait style.

So, there you have my Top 10 for 2019. A bit Parthian-heavy (not that there's anything wrong with that), but hopefully of interest even for those of you who don't collect that area. Let me know which of these you liked the best.

 

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For me, my favorite from your collection is the M. Scaurus denarius. To this day it is one of my favorite RR coins in my collection.

 

Fantastic additions Parthicus! I glad you are feeling better
I really like the Sasanian/ Parthian coinage, really distinct. I may get into some Parthian material this coming year. Thanks for sharing yours.

 

Since I do not collect Parthian coinage, my favorite is Scaurus denarius. Howver, overall, a nice top 10 collection.

 

Is this a 1/3 drachm or 1/3 tetradrachm?

 

I, too, like the Musa!

 

..nice bunch.. ...

 

The last coin, Parthia ,Orodes II has such an incredible portrait. Its my fav. Next would be the camel!

 

Hi Doug, the coin is a 1/3 drachm (1.30 g). No way to tell if it was intentionally 1/3, or if someone tried to make 1/2 and didn't cut very accurately.

 

Sweet group @Parthicus ! Man, that Phrates II portrait is awesome, but I really dig the mauryan punch coin...I've been wanted to get one with a "3 little dudes" mark for quite some time, and yours is VERY clear!

 

Thanks. I was not familiar with the type but I did find a photo of a whole one.
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=175511
I can not help to think you got the best part of the coin. The other piece would be not much.

 

Great coins

 

Great year @Parthicus . My favorites;

#1 - for all the reasons you mention. A great historical coin.

#4 - I like the Parthian coins that show the Ompalos on the reverse.

#10 - a very handsome portrait.

Thanks for sharing!

 

Congrats on a fine year, @Parthicus! It's nice to have some collectors of non-Western ancients here to shed light on areas that might otherwise escape our notice and education .

Your #1 is also my favorite-- great story coin!!

 

My favorite is your Chiclets... I really like that one with the Gods on it. Wish I had one. I have one with a partial...but not sure it it is.



One of Mine: (possible partial God in right-bottom quadrant)


Yours reminds me of
"Run-Run as fast as you can, you can't catch me cuz I am the Ginger-Bread Man-GOD"

 

Looks like you had a great year. Thanks for sharing your coin knowledge. You collect coins outside of my collecting area except for...


... cut coins. I like your cut coin, #2, best.

 

Great coins @Parthicus - congrats on the new additions! I'll try to post my top ten shortly...

 

Nice mix.....I'm still really intrigued with the Hormazd IV...Nice find!

 

I know nothing about them, but I very much enjoyed your write ups. I hope you can give us some deep dive posts about the individual coins at some point, because I would enjoy reading more about them very much.

 

My favourites are your #1 (a slam dunk!), #4, and #8. The reverse on #4 is fabulous, I don't think I had even heard of the Tambrax mint before, and the link to the Sakas is very cool. On #8 I like the portrait very much, the retrograde legend, and just the fact that it's early Parthian bronze.

I think you sold most of your previous Parthian collection not too long ago; usually this indicates a shift of collecting focus. But your top 10 this year is mostly Parthian! Did you just miss the thrill of the hunt?