Iran-Parthia No Date (57-38 BCE) 1 tetrachalkous
The Parthian or Arsacid Empire was named for Arsaces I, who, as leader of the Parni tribe, who took territory in northeast Persia from the Seleucid Empire. His gains were greatly expanded by Mithridates I, and at its height, the empire stretched from eastern Iran to southeast Turkey. Early Parthian coins had Greek legends, but the script degenerated with time. The portrait of every Parthian ruler sports a mole on the forehead, apparently a mark of royal legitimacy, descended from Arsaces I.
The specimen shown was lot 18 in Steve Album sale 16 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2013), where it did not sell. The catalog description reads[1]:
"PARTHIAN KINGDOM: Orodes II, c. 57-38 BC, AE tetrachalkous, Ekbatana, diademed narrow bust left, short beard/Pegasus right, complete inscription around, lovely strike, strong VF."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.26 g, silver.
Catalog reference: Sellwood 43.13.
- [1]Album, Stephen. Stephen Album Rare Coins - Auction 16. Santa Rosa, 2013. Stephen Album Rare Coins.
- Sayles, Wayne G. Ancient Coin Collecting VI - Non-Classical Cultures. Iola, WI, 1999. Krause Publications.
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