I have been in the market for an Osroes II drachm & ended up getting a good deal on this particular one. Seemed like some ebay bidder were asleep with this one. Osroes II (190 - 208 A.D.) AR Drachm O: Diademed bust left, wearing long beard, earring, and tiara with ear flap and spiral torque, and decorated with “hooks”; all within pelleted border. R: “hwcrw mlk” in Parthian/IΛIΛIIΛI- VV/ΛVΓV(quadrate O) XΛIΛ (sic), archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow, Λ below feet. Ecbatana Mint 3.3g 19mm Sellwood 85.1; Shore 437
Very nice coin. @Mat. Love the detail! Here is mine.... Also a S85.1. One of the best things about Parthians is how you can see, oftentimes, very strikingly, how the designs evolved over time. From the Hellenistic renderings in the beginings, to the more "Oriental" or "Iranian" styles towards the end.
I suspect the softness and edge (sprue?) chip drove off some people. Others might really value the top line of legend that names the ruler in Parthian. I have never been all that clear on how we know the legends other than that top line are degraded Greek rather than just gibberish. Osroes is unknown to history except for the coins. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osroes_II Sellwood 85.2 - this was one of the last coins I bought from Joel Malter. There was a time that he was my favorite source. The Wikipedia article leaves out a lot including he was the first employer and trainer of a young Bruce McNall. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_L._Malter Sellwood 85.3 ex. the recently deceased Don Zauche who was my favorite dealer in the last decade. I bought this as Sellwood 85.5 back in 1993 but am less than certain of the ID. How do you separate 85.4 and 85.5? Is that really a horned sheep? My lanky beast has a weak horn.
My Orodes II KINGS of PARTHIA. Orodes II. Circa 57-38 BC. AR Drachm (22mm, 3.99 g, 12h). Rhagai mint. Struck circa 40 BC. Diademed and draped bust left; star to left, to right, crescent above star / Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow; anchor symbol behind throne. Sellwood 48.10; Sunrise 382; Shore 262. Lightly toned, slight double strike on obverse.
Nice OP coin of this unknown-to-history rebel. I haven't added any of his coins to the Parthicus Collection Mark II yet, sorry I don't have one to share. Based on just this specimen, I would have to agree with you- by this point the "Greek" legends were absolute gibberish. This may be why some of these very late types have added Parthian legends- otherwise there would be nothing readable on the coins at all. If you look at the Parthian series as a whole, and start during, say, the Artabanos drachms (S.63.6) of c.10-38 AD, when the reverse legends are still decent readable Greek, you can follow the slow progression as letters gradually become less clear, morph shape, and finally become like this specimen. I did not know that Don Zauche passed away. I remember him well from the Baltimore shows. He always had good deals, and was always very friendly. I bought several coins from him at the Baltimore show in November, including some I haven't posted yet. I will miss him. Sellwood 85.4 and 85.5 are identical in design, except that 85.4 is listed as a dichalkoi and 85.5 as a chalkos. So, I guess weight is the only way to tell which you have. Which, given that late Parthian bronzes don't seem to have very consistent weights, may not be reliable. Sorry about that. However, I would say that your sheep does have prominent horns, as I've outlined below: Now that's what I call one horny sheep! @oldfinecollector : That's a very nice specimen of Orodes II, however, the OP coin was of Osroes II. Different guy.
@Parthicus you are right confused Parthes coins is not my speciality as you can see got only this coin. Need quickly a strong coffee"...
Just a brief follow-up re: Don Zauche. I purchased many coins, particularly Parthians from him for several years. His prices were always fair and he was very knowledgeable and friendly once he got to know you . I saw his wife Marcella at the Vienna, VA show a couple of months back and learned of Don's passing and like many was shocked and saddened. His birthday was last December, the month he passed, and he had just turned 88 I believe although he looked at least 10 years younger. He went in for gallbladder surgery and things took a downward turn. Marcella said she will continue going to shows as long as her coin selling buddies are there to assist her with pricing and identification. She said that is what Don would have wanted. I'm not sure whether or not she will continue to purchase coins from Don's sources. Don will be missed! Steve S.
