Good evening....have'nt posted anything Parthian in awhile. I ran across this tetrachalkous while browsing vcoins....it cought my attention....so I added it. Mithradates II ca. 121-91 B.C. was considered one of the greatest of Parthian Kings. Under his reign....30 years in length, The Parthians became an Eastern superpower, greatly extending their reach of rule. Mithradates established diplomatic relations with both Rome and China, thus paving the way for economic prosperity to follow (via the Silk Road). His reign, however, was not without troubles, as towards the end the road became rocky, and the foundations laid for the beginings of infighting between nobles. Which, more or less, placed the throne on varying states of unease for the duration of the Arsacid dynasty. Mithradates II's coinage is interesting. The early types (tetradrachms) show him as a young man. There are types such as this (sellwood 24 series) that depict him with a shorter beard. Furthermore later versions such as the Sellwood 26-28 series coins shows him with a long beard, large nose....and in some cases, wearing a great tiara. It goes without saying...his reign produced a wide variety of coinage output. So....without further rambling, here is the coin. Feel free to post your Mithradates II coins or anything you may wish which is related. Mithradates II c.a. 121-91 B.C. A.E. Tetrachalkous 8.26 gm, 22mm, 12h Sellwood 24.34 Rhagae mint Ex. Pars Coins
Nice bronze. Just silver for me. Mithradates II (121 - 91 B.C.) AR Drachm O: Long-bearded bust left wearing diadem. R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ − ΒΑΣΙ − ΛΕΩΝ − ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow. Ekbatana mint. Struck 109-96/5 B.C. 4.13g 21mm Sellwood 27.2; Sunrise 294; Shore 86.
I really like these Parthian coins. I don't have any, nor do I know too much about the Parthians beyond what I heard about them in "The History of Rome" podcast, but I would eventually like to learn more and pick up a coin or two to add to FFIVN and my collection. Thanks for sharing!
Ok, I'll take the bait. Ordered this the other night because I like the eye appeal.. As a silly side note, I let this coin pass me by at auction then regretted not placing a bid. It turned up a few days later on Vcoins and I buckled, of course paying much more than I would've had I bid in the first place =) Next on my Parthian wishlist: a Tetradrachm of Orodes II. Kings of Parthia, Vologases IV (AD 147-191). Tetradrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris, year 464 (AD 152). Ex Simonetta Collection Kings of Parthia, Vologases IV (AD 147-191). BI Tetradrachm (28mm, 13.49g, 1h). Seleukeia on the Tigris, year 464 (AD 152). Diademed and draped bust l., wearing tiara; B behind. R/ Vologases seated l. on throne, Tyche standing r. before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre. Cf. Sellwood 84.12-5. VF - Good VF Ex Simonetta Collection
Nice coins..... I've got 1 little bronze... Vardanes I (40-47 AD) AE Chalkous 11mm/1.8gr.. Obverse- Bust left with short beard, wearing diadem and spiral torque; hair in three distinct waves with earring visible; diadem pendants shown as three lines; circular border of pellets. Reverse- Monogram ΜΤΘ; legend as dashes Mint- Mithradatkart-Near modern Askabad in Turkmenistan. Ref- Sellwood 64 type variant (ΜΤΘ monogram) This is quite a rare type
I've posted this one before, but hey, I like 'm KINGS OF PARTHIA, Mithridates II (124-88 BC). Denomination: AR Drachm, minted: Ecbatana(?); ca. 96-93 bc Obv: Long-bearded bust left wearing tiara (T28ii) with six-point star; torque end single or double pellet; circular border of pellets Rev: Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ([Of the] Great King of Kings, Arsaces, the Noble) Weight: 3.98g; Ø:1.9mm. Catalogue: Sellwood 28.2. Provenance: Ex. private collection; acq.: 04-2019 Mithridates II (Parthian: Mihrdāt) King of Parthian Empire from 124 to 88 BC. He was already known as ""the Great"" in antiquity. He is the first Parthian ruler to regularly use the title of ""King of Kings"", thus stressing the Parthian association with the Achaemenid Empire. Considered one of the most prominent monarchs of the ancient East, his reign marked the rise of the Parthians as a superpower.He spent most of reign consolidating his rule in the Near East, successfully re-conquering Babylonia, and turning the kingdoms of Armenia, Adiabene, Characene, Gordyene, and Osrhoene into vassal states. He also captured Dura-Europos in Syria, and restored Parthian authority in Sakastan, which was given as a fief to the House of Suren. During the last years of his reign, however, his empire fell into disarray, with the Parthian nobility having enough authority to challenge the Parthian king periodically, including a rival-monarch named Gotarzes I (r. 90 – 80 BC), who claimed the throne. Following Mithridates II's death in 88 BC, Gotarzes ruled Babylonia, while Orodes I (r. 90 – 80 BC) ruled the eastern territories of the empire separately.
Here is one of my Mith II's which is a bit different than the normal Mith II drachm. This coin appears to be an Eastern Imitation. Why this odd look? Not sure. Perhaps a "caricature". Perhaps an inexperienced craftsman? Your guess is as good as mine. Metal/Size: AR20; Weight: 4.1 grams; Denomination: Drachm; Mint: Eastern Imitation; Date: 123-88 BCE; Obverse: Long-bearded bust left wearing tiara (T28i) with eight-pointed star, no circle design below diadem; griffin-ended (?) torque. Reverse: Beardless archer (Arsaces) wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border, five line Greek inscription. References: Sellwood #28.1v; Shore #94ff. Steve S.
I would venture to guess that you are probably correct @museumguy. Your coin matches the one on Parthia.com which is listed as eastern imitation. Your example would certainly fit the description of an imitative, as it is, in fact, crudely rendered as opposed to the mainstream renditions of S28. It is, however, a very nice coin, and is interesting to look at and ponder. Thanks for posting it.
