There is a pretty neat series of reverses that feature a winged Victory holding a shield inscribed, "VIC PAR" - victory over Parthia. The story of the war is long and detailed, but suffice to say: MA was victorious over Parthia, and was so proud of it that he issued a series of gold and large bronze coins featuring an excellent pictorial representation of that victory - a winged victory figure! If that wasn't enough, the victory holds a sign that says "WE BEAT THE PARTHS" to really drive the point home. I picked up this decent sestertius (nearly a perfect rectangle!) of 30x27mm and a decent 23.4g. The obv/rev orientation is interestiing, instead of coin or medallic alignment, its more like a 90* rotation. I actually rather like that orientation, as it seems to really fit both sides: MA is in a lozenge shape while the Victory is standing on a flat surface. The price was higher than I normally pay, at about $40, but these days I'm more interested in the big bronzes, and they are naturally more expensive than ratty LRBs. I couldn't find an exact match on Wildwinds (none of the wings looked right) but that's okay.
What a nice sestertius. I have a similar, but more common silver example. RIC 163 Marcus Aurelius Denarius. M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PART MAX, laureate head right / TR P X IMP IIII COS III, Victory standing right, holding palm branch and placing shield inscribed VIC-PAR in two lines on palm tree. (My guest, but not my pictures) I would add to your wonderful post that it was Marcus Aurelius' co-emperor Lucius Verus (actually, mostly Verus' generals) who did the fighting in the East against Parthia. Marcus Aurelius was too preoccupied fighting Germanic incursions in the West to help much with the Parthian conflict. Being co-emperor, however, Marcus Aurelius would share in the triumph over Parthia. The politics of the Armenian (ARM) - Parthian (Part) conflict, however, are too complicated for my ossified brain right now. Nice coin and wonderful history. Thanks for sharing. g
Nice coin I have the matching VIC GER Marcus Aurelius (161-180), AE Sestertius,Rome, AD 172, Sestertius struck following submission of Marcomanni people (German tribal confederation). RIC 1029; C 272
Septimius Severus was the last Roman emperor to have limited success fighting the Parthians in AD 198. He was given the title Parthicus Maximus, as seen on the denarius below. About 25 years later the Parthians fell to the Sassanians.
I just got a VIC GER that looks a lot like the VIC PAR series. This one is a sestertius for Marcus Aurelius. Funny how the Germans, the Dacians, the Parthians/Persians just kept coming back after the Roman "victories." Marcus Aurelius Æ Sestertius (170-171 A.D.) Rome Mint M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXV, laureate head right / IMP VI [COS III] S C, Victory, naked to waist, standing front, setting on palm-tree right, shield inscribed VIC GER RIC 1001; Cohen 269. (22.19 grams / 28 mm)
My only Victory over Parthia coin: Septimius Severus AR Denarius 202 - 210 A.D., Rome Mint 2.843g, 19.5mm, 12H Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, Bust of Septimius Severus, laureate, facing right Reverse: VICT PART MAX, Victory, winged, draped, advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm sloped over left shoulder in left hand Provenance: Ex. Forvm Ancient Coins 2016 Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 295
Wow! Great coins everyone! Thanks for sharing. I like how the VIC GER used the same design, you’d think they be a bit more creative...
Congrats - looks like quite an excellent bargain from my point of view. Vologases IV may have been defeated by Marcus & Lucius but he still made some nice coins (mine not the greatest example). Your coin from AD 166 - mine from the other side in AD 164. Kings of Parthia, Vologases IV (AD 147-191). BI Tetradrachm Seleukeia on the Tigris, Seleukid year ςoy (476) month AΠEΛAIoY (November). The new year begins in October AD 164. Obv: Diademed and draped bust left, wearing tiara; B behind Rev: Vologases seated left on throne, Tyche standing right before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre Ref: Shore 427 Rev Legend: from top, on four sides, only partially visible ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ _ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ _ (AΠEΛAIoY) _ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ - OΛΑΓΑΣΟΥ -----------------ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ King of Kings Arsakes Vologases (November) Illustrious Greek-loving
