...and a messenger appeared with a bundle..holding my first ancient silver drachm.. After studying Crassus' defeat at Carrhae I went online and found the auction with 2 minutes left. I won this in an rather quiet auction, I bid a dollar over $100 and somehow won. There were only 2 bidders. Free shipping. I have no idea how to figure out the legend..generally online it says "greek for 'king of kings' ".. Just wanted to share it with yall ! If anybody wants maybe help me find a referrence to it so I can save it..thanks
I think this should be Pacorus II/Vologases III. The legend at this stage is degenerated Greek. In earlier generations there was a reference to the founder of the dynasty, Arsaces, here. For more info look here: http://www.parthia.com/vologases3.htm
I do not collect these (I have to stay focused or I would be in the poor house - which may happen just the same), but this is a nice looking coin and the price seems low. Congratulations.
One of the things that makes Parthians more or less appealing depending on who you are is the number of coins with ID questions among the experts. I would have called this Vologases III with no mention of Pacorus which means I don't have the reference that reassigned it. This is a nice enough coin whoever it is. I'll show what I have as Pacorus II (first one) and three Vologases III (last three) but that is not a statement of correctness but what I found when looking them up when I got them. None of mine were MS either. Times change.
Terrific coin and at that price it does seem like a bargain. If Doug has a few, they must be pretty good A-noob has to check in...