297 298
297
Orodes II (57-38 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 13.01g, 12h. Overstruck on S41.1 Tetradrachm of Mithradates
IV (58/7-55 BC) in 55/4 BC at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed and lightly bearded bust left, wearing
griffin ended spiral torque, dotted border. Rev. King enthroned right, before him, Tyche kneeling left with
sceptre in left hand, extending to king her right hand in submission, monogram above her head, seven-line
inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
(S 45.6). Good fine.
Very
rare
.
$ 3,200
This is an historically important coin, minted at the end of the Arsacid fraternal wars, involving the two brothers Mithradates IV
and Orodes II. The S 45 output marks the capture of Seleucia on the Tigris after Sūrenā, the valiant Parthian general and conqueror
of Crassus at Carrhae in May 53 BC, led the forces loyal to Orodes and stormed the city in late 55 BC. After this victory, Orodes
appears to have seized the entire type S 41 Tetradrachms of his brother and had them overstruck with his own dies. The coin in this
lot has retained from the undertype, the Greek TOY (meaning, “who is”) at the lower right edge of the flan on the reverse. This
corresponds with the inscription on S 41.1 Tetradrachms which unprecedentedly include the personal name of the reigning monarch:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΤΟY ΕΠΙKAΛOYMENOY MIΘPAΔATOY ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, (the coin of) King Arsaces, who is called
Mithradates, Philhellene.
298
Orodes II (57-38 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 12.17g, 12h. Minted at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed and lightly
bearded bust left, wart on brow, wearing griffin ended spiral torque, dotted border. Rev. King enthroned right,
Tyche standing left, palm branch and cornucopia in right and left hands respectively, seven-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
, abbreviated
month name
ΞAN
(Xandikos) and monogram ZHM in exergue (S 47.1). About very fine.
$ 800
299
Orodes II (57-38 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 15.31g, 12h. Minted at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed and
lightly bearded bust left, wart on brow, wearing pellet ended spiral torque, dotted border. Rev. King right
on omphalos, holding sceptre and Nike with laurel wreath in right and left hands respectively, monogram
below Nike, seven-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY
ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
(S 48.2-3 var, king on omphalos and monogram below Nike). Good very
fine, light graffiti on the obverse.
Unique.
$ 8,000
ex Gorny & Mosch, Auction 130, 8-9 Nov. 2004, lot 1403.
The historical significance of the reverse design of this unique Tetradrachm, depicting the king seated on omphalos rather than the
ubiquitous throne of the preceding and succeeding issues, is unclear.
