Iran-Parthia No Date (57-38 BCE) 1 tetradrachm
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 20 in Steve Album sale 16 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2013), where it sold for US$1,534. The catalog description reads[1]:
"PARTHIAN KINGDOM: Orodes II, c. 57-38 BC, AR tetradrachm, bear-headed bust left, short beard/king seated right on throne, Tyche kneeling left, holding sceptre, extending arms to one another, monograph #45, lovely bold VF."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14.96 g, silver.
Catalog reference: Shore 209.
- [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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