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The Parthian King is feeling slightly barbarous today
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<p>[QUOTE="Parthicus, post: 3661594, member: 81887"]It's time for another dive into the confusing world of Parthian coin attributions!</p><p>[ATTACH=full]984508[/ATTACH] </p><p>Parthian Kingdom. AR drachm. Either "Orodes I (c.90-77 BC) [Sellwood, Shore]" or "Mithradates III (87-80 BC) [Assar]". Obverse: Bearded bust right, wearing tiara with 8-pointed star, torque at neck with pellet end. Reverse: Seated archer, surrounded by slightly blundered Greek legend "Basileos Megalou/ Arsakou/ Autokratoros Philopatoros/ Epiphanous Philellenos" (Of the Great King Arsakes, Ruling by his own authority, Loving his father, Illustrious, Loving the Greeks.) Sellwood 31.5, Shore 122, Sunrise 308v. Slightly barbarous style. This coin: Frank S. Robinson Auction 108, lot 99 (April 9, 2019); ex. Classical Numismatic Group 3/18 (Nisa Collection).</p><p><br /></p><p>This drachm is Sellwood type 31.5, which the standard older references of Sellwood and Shore assign to Orodes I with dates of c.90-77 BC. However, the more recent work of Assar reassigns this type to a previously unidentified king with the personal name of Mithradates, whom Assar thus dubs "Mithradates III" and assigns dates of 87-80 BC. Mithradates III may have been a son of the great Mithradates II, but does not seem to have inherited his father's military genius. He lost some territory to Tigranes I of Armenia, and was overthrown by the rebel Orodes I (reigned 80-75 BC). Even less is known of Orodes I, except that he expelled his vassal Kamnaskires III from Elymais and was married to his sister Ispubarza. </p><p><br /></p><p>This coin was listed as barbarous in style. The portrait quality is overall quite good, but the details of the tiara are not, and the Greek legend is not very well engraved and harder to read than usual on this type. I am inclined to think this is an official mint issue from a beginning or less-skilled engraver, rather than an unofficial imitation. Please post your related coins.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Parthicus, post: 3661594, member: 81887"]It's time for another dive into the confusing world of Parthian coin attributions! [ATTACH=full]984508[/ATTACH] Parthian Kingdom. AR drachm. Either "Orodes I (c.90-77 BC) [Sellwood, Shore]" or "Mithradates III (87-80 BC) [Assar]". Obverse: Bearded bust right, wearing tiara with 8-pointed star, torque at neck with pellet end. Reverse: Seated archer, surrounded by slightly blundered Greek legend "Basileos Megalou/ Arsakou/ Autokratoros Philopatoros/ Epiphanous Philellenos" (Of the Great King Arsakes, Ruling by his own authority, Loving his father, Illustrious, Loving the Greeks.) Sellwood 31.5, Shore 122, Sunrise 308v. Slightly barbarous style. This coin: Frank S. Robinson Auction 108, lot 99 (April 9, 2019); ex. Classical Numismatic Group 3/18 (Nisa Collection). This drachm is Sellwood type 31.5, which the standard older references of Sellwood and Shore assign to Orodes I with dates of c.90-77 BC. However, the more recent work of Assar reassigns this type to a previously unidentified king with the personal name of Mithradates, whom Assar thus dubs "Mithradates III" and assigns dates of 87-80 BC. Mithradates III may have been a son of the great Mithradates II, but does not seem to have inherited his father's military genius. He lost some territory to Tigranes I of Armenia, and was overthrown by the rebel Orodes I (reigned 80-75 BC). Even less is known of Orodes I, except that he expelled his vassal Kamnaskires III from Elymais and was married to his sister Ispubarza. This coin was listed as barbarous in style. The portrait quality is overall quite good, but the details of the tiara are not, and the Greek legend is not very well engraved and harder to read than usual on this type. I am inclined to think this is an official mint issue from a beginning or less-skilled engraver, rather than an unofficial imitation. Please post your related coins.[/QUOTE]
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The Parthian King is feeling slightly barbarous today
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