300
Phraates IV (38/7-2 BC). Silver Tetradrachm, 14.03g, 12h. Minted at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed
bust left with short pointed beard, wart on brow (probably intentionally scraped off later), wearing griffin
ended spiral torque, kandys decorated with star on shoulder and griffin on breast, dotted border. Rev. King
enthroned right, Tyche standing left, laurel wreath and cornucopia in right and left hands respectively, seven-
line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
,
year date
E●C
(275 SEM) under throne, abbreviated month name
ΓΟPΠ
(Gorpiaios) in exergue (Aug./Sep.
37 BC) (S 50.2; Sunrise 387). Good very fine, well centred on both sides.
Rare
.
$ 1,500
301
Phraates IV (38/7-2 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 13.74g, 12h. Overstruck on S55.7-9 Tetradrachm of Tiridates
(c. October 31 - April 26 BC, intermittently) at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed bust left with medium
and tapering beard, wart on brow, wearing spiral torque, dotted border. Rev. King enthroned right, Tyche
standing left, diadem and cornucopia in right and left hands respectively, seven-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
, unintelligible year date and
month name in exergue due to overstriking, traces of undertype inscription at about 7h. reading
ΦΙΛOPΩ
[
MAIOY
]
(S 51.25-31). About very fine, well centred on both sides.
Rare
.
$ 2,200
Having probably received support from Augustus, Tiridates deposed Phraates IV in early 26 BC and usurped the Arsacid throne. He
then marked his triumph with a Tetradrachm issue at Seleucia on the Tigris, incorporating in its inscription the epithets
ΦΙΛOPΩMAIOY
AYTOKPATΩP
(sic.). “Friend of the Romans (and) Autocrat”. This was, as Sellwood aptly stated, “an unwise advertisement of his [Tiridates’]
predilections and a sufficient reason for his eventual defeat”. Phraates called on the neighbouring countries for aid and also enlisted the
Scythians in the east against his foe. Having deposed Tiridates, Phraates overstruck his rival’s celebratory output (the S 55.7-9
Tetradrachms from months Xandikos, Artemisios, Daisios, and a new variety from Panemos, covering the period April-July 26 BC).
The coin in this lot is both numismatically and historically significant, because it confirms the seizure and destruction of Tiridates’
Tetradrachms shortly after Phraates’ triumphant return in spring 26 BC.
302
Phraates IV (38/7-2 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 14.51g, 12h. Minted at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed bust
left with medium and tapering beard, wart on brow (probably intentionally scraped off later), wearing spiral
torque, kandys decorated with eagle on shoulder and star on breast, dotted border. Rev. King enthroned
right, Athena standing left, diadem and sceptre in right and left hands respectively, seven-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
, partial year
date [
H
or
Θ
]
ΠΣ
(288 or 289 SEM) month name
ΟΛΩIO
[
Y
] (Loios) in exergue (Aug./Sep. 24 BC or July/
Aug. 23 BC) (S 50.2; Sunrise 391 var, no pellet below throne seat). Good very fine, well centred on both
sides.
$ 800
