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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Parthicus, post: 4458247, member: 81887&quot;][ATTACH=full]1111647[/ATTACH] </p><p>Elymais.&nbsp; AE drachm.&nbsp; Phraates (early-mid 2nd century AD).&nbsp; Obverse: Facing bust of king, wearing tiara and diadem, anchor and crescent-and-pellet (star?) to right, pellet border.&nbsp; Reverse: Tied diadem, crescent-and-pellet (star?) to either side, pellet border.&nbsp; van&#039;t Haaff 14.4.1-1A.&nbsp; This coin: Pars Coins Auction 6, lot 438 (part of group lot) (April 20, 2020).&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>(Note: some historical text is recycled from an earlier post of mine.)</p><p>Elymais was a Parthian vassal state, located between the east bank of the Tigris and the Zagros Mountains, roughly where the province of Khuzestan is in modern Iran. Very little is known of the history of Elymais, with many of the later kings known only from their coins. Many of the kings bear Parthian names (Orodes and Phraates), but they are apparently not the same monarchs as the Parthian kings of the same name, although the later Elymaean kings do seem to have been an offshoot of the Parthian Arsakid royal family. The extensive coinage consisted of tetradrachms and drachms, initially of good silver but degrading to bronze for the later issues. Many of the bronze coins have survived in large numbers, and often in decent condition, so they are popular with collectors, though relatively few specialize in the series. A comprehensive catalogue of Elymaean coins was published by the late Pieter Anne van&#039;t Haaff in 2007, which has become the standard reference for the series.</p><p><br /></p><p>I bought this coin mainly because I did not have this reverse type. The most common Elymais reverses feature just a series of dashes, in various arrangements, but other types are also known.&nbsp; Artemis (both bust and full-length, sometimes with inscription), a smaller king&#039;s bust, eagle, Athena, and diadem types can all be found.&nbsp; I also like the rather cartoonish appearance of the portrait on this coin, especially the eyes.&nbsp; This coin was also pleasantly cheap- it was part of a lot of 4 coins that I got for $25, so this coin was just $6.25.&nbsp; Please post your coins of Elymais, cartoonish portraits, or recent &quot;snacks&quot; (inexpensive coins).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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