very rare fourree core of Parthian tetradrachm

Parthian Kingdom, Seleukia on the Tigris mint. AE core of fourree tetradrachm (10.67 g, 25 mm). Vologases I (c.51- 78 CE), dated 380 SE (68/9 CE). Obverse: Diademed bust of king left. Reverse: King seated left, receiving palm branch from Tyche, date Pi-Tau (380) above and between heads of Tyche and King, standard Greek legend around (mostly off flan). Sellwood 70.12v. This coin: Marc R. Breitsprecher, June 2025.

Vologases I took the Parthian throne in early 51 CE. He may have been the son of the short-lived Pakoros II who had rebelled against Gotarzes II, and who then continued his father's work and overthrew Gotarzes. The best-attested part of Vologases' reign is the war he fought with Rome over control of Armenia (the usual cause of war between Rome and Parthia). The Roman general Corbulo had early success in 59-60, destroying the Armenian capitol city of Artaxata and capturing Tigranocerta. At the same time, Vologases faced a revolt in Hyrcania (southeast of the Caspian) which occupied him. After reaching a settlement in Hyrcania, Vologases in 62 won a major victory over the Romans, forcing them to withdraw and open peace negotiations. This resulted in Vologases' son traveling to Rome in 66 to receive the crown of Armenia from Nero, as well as permission and funds to rebuild Artaxata. Relations with Rome remained good for the rest of Vologases' reign; in early 69 he sent an offer to Vespasian to provide cavalry to support Vespasian in the civil war following Nero's death, and in 71 Vologases sent a golden crown to Titus in honor of his victory in the Jewish War. The time and circumstances of Vologases' death are unclear, but he seems to have died in late 77 or early 78.

This coin is particularly exciting because it appears to be, not just a debased billon tetradrachm, but a copper/bronze core of a fourree (silver-plated) coin. Fourrees occur fairly regularly in the Roman Republican and Imperial series, and in some Greek issues, but fourrees of Parthian drachms are rather rare, while fourrees of Parthian tetradrachms are almost unknown, with only a handful of specimens reported. On this coin, you can still see a few traces of the silver plating, particularly on the king's face on the obverse. I am still researching the matter, so may have more to say later, but I believe this to be a significant find. Please post whatever coins you have that are related, or other ideas about fourrees, Vologases I, etc.

 

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Nice! That is the first fourree Parthenian tetradrachm that I've seen.

I suppose that the practice of making fakes was widespread, but I would guess not many survivors, since once detected the coin would be destroyed (melted) and used for another purpose.