424
Mithradates IV (58/7-55 BC), Silver Drachm, 3.94g, 1h. Minted by Court at Rhagae c. 55 BC. Short bearded bust
left, wearing double banded diadem and segmented necklet, crescent above star behind head, dotted border.
Rev. Archer enthroned right, monogram below bow, eight-line inscription
ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΒΑCΙΛΕΩN ΑΡCΑΚΟY
ΛIOΛ
(probably
YIOY
)
ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΦPAATOY ΕΠIΦΑNOYC EΠIKAΛOYMENOY ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟC Γ
[…]
stylised and partly blundered (S 41.17). About very fine, dark tone.
Extremely
rare
.
$ 4,000
The inscription on this extremely rare issue, minted about the end of the reign of Mithradates IVwhen his brother, Orodes II, mounted
a challenge for the Arsacid throne, was probably intended to read ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΒΑCΙΛΕΩN ΑΡCΑΚΟY EΠIKAΛOYMENOY
YIOY ΦPAATOY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΕΠIΦΑNOYC ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟC, “(the coin of) King of King Arsaces, who is called son of
Phraates, the Beneficent, Illustrious (and) Philhellene”. It clearly shows political uncertainty and mint officials’ lack of commitment
to either party.
425
Orodes II (c. 57-38 BC), Silver Drachm, 3.84g, 12h. Minted by Court at Mithradatkart c.55 BC. Short
bearded bust left, wearing single banded diadem, spiral torque with no visible end, Nike in crowning attitude
behind head, dotted border. Rev. Archer enthroned right, monogram below bow, seven-line inscription
ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΒΑCΙΛΕΩN ΑΡCΑΚΟY ΦIΛOΠATOPOC ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠIΦΑNOYC ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
stylised
and partly blundered (S 42.2 var, different mint; Sunrise 360 var, different mint). About very fine, uniform
dark tone.
Extremely rare.
$ 2,800
This issue was minted, after about two years of fraternal power struggle, to celebrate Orodes’ victory over his brother, Mithradates IV.
426
Orodes II (c. 57-38 BC), Silver Drachm, 3.68g, 12h. Minted at Susa. Short bearded bust left, wearing single
banded diadem, pellet ended spiral torque, dotted border. Rev. Archer enthroned right, monogram below
bow, seven-line inscription
ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΒΑCΙΛΕΩN ΑΡCΑΚΟY EYEPΓETOY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠIΦΑNOYC
ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟC
, stylised, partly abbreviated and mostly blundered (S 45.20). About extremely fine,
uniform dark tone.
Scarce
.
$ 1,800
The obverse of this coin was illustrated on the cover of the second edition of Sellwood’s
An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia
in 1980.
