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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Parthicus, post: 8418221, member: 81887&quot;][ATTACH=full]1493037[/ATTACH]</p><p>Indo-Parthian countermark on Parthian host coin.&nbsp; Host coin: Phraates IV (38-2 BC), Margiana mint (Sellwood type 52.19) AR drachm (2.74 g, 20 mm).&nbsp; Obverse: bust of king left, eagle with diadem behind.&nbsp; Reverse: Seated archer right, somewhat blundered Greek legend around, Margiana mintmark under bow. Countermark: Helmeted bust right.&nbsp; This countermark on this host type: Sellwood 91.12.&nbsp; This coin: Pars Coins Auction 26, lot 145 (May 30, 2022).</p><p><br /></p><p>The best general description of this coin type is found in Sellwood&#039;s catalogue:</p><p>&quot;Drachms from the middle centuries of the Parthian age often carry small punch marks on the shoulder of the obverse bust.&nbsp; Such specimens appear to represent the currency of petty princes claiming independence from central Arsacid authority.&quot;&nbsp; There are a few types where a name is included in the countermark, but this type is anonymous.&nbsp; Interestingly, some later coins were struck locally which imitated both the original under type and the &quot;countermark&quot;, with the countermark already carved into the obverse die!&nbsp; Indeed, this coin was listed on the auction site as such.&nbsp; However, note the flat area on the bottom of the reverse which corresponds to where the countermark was applied on the obverse.&nbsp; This flattening would only occur if an actual countermark was applied to an already-struck coin.&nbsp; Anyway, it&#039;s an interesting piece that gives a small insight into what was happening at the edges of the Parthian kingdom.&nbsp; Post your Indo-Parthian coins, or coins with countermarks, or whatever else is related.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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