Iran-Parthia No Date (90-80 BCE) 1 drachm
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 is a silver drachm from Orodes I (some researchers attribute this issue to Mithradates III). The obverse shows a portrait of the ruler adorned with a tiara, the reverse shows a seated figure and the ruler's full title in Greek characters.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.19g, silver.
Catalog reference: Sellwood #31.6, Shore 124
- Sayles, Wayne G. Ancient Coin Collecting VI - Non-Classical Cultures. Iola, WI, 1999. Krause Publications.
Link to: