341
Mithradates I (164-132 BC), Silver Drachms (2), 3.38g, 12h, 4.07g, 12h. Minted at Nisa. Bare-headed, diademed
and long bearded bust left, wearing single turn torque, laurel wreath border. Rev. Archer seated right on
omphalos, three-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY ΑΡΣΑΚΟY
(S 11.3). Both good fine, sharing a
common obverse die.
Very
rare
. (2)
$ 1,200
342
Phraates II (132-127 BC), Silver Drachm, 4.22g, 12h. Minted at Ecbatana. Short-bearded and diademed bust
left, wearing single turn torque, dotted border. Rev. Archer seated right on omphalos, four-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY
(right)
ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ
(left) (S 16.1; Sunrise 269). About very fine.
Rare
.
$ 450
343
Phraates II (132-127 BC), Silver Drachm, 3.74g, 12h. Minted at Nisa. Short-bearded and diademed bust
left, wearing single turn torque, mintname NICAIA behind head, dotted border. Rev. Archer seated right on
omphalos, four-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY
(right)
ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ
(left) (S 16.9).
Good extremely fine.
Extremely
rare
.
$ 2,800
Having successfully crushed the last Seleucid assault on Parthia and slain Antiochus VII in late summer – early autumn 129 BC,
Phraates II was soon embroiled in a bitter dispute with the Scythian warriors. The later had been induced by an offer of payment
and a share of the war booty to aid the Parthians in their battle against the invading Seleucid army. However, the nomads arrived
late, and when they demanded payment, Phraates refused and dismissed them. The Scythians took offence and began to overrun and
ravage Parthian districts and cities on their journey back home. To counter the nomad army, Phraates is said to have taken with him
a contingent of prisoners from his war with Antiochus VII. He successfully liberated city after city as far as Margiane (Merv). At the
end, however, when the fickle Greeks found their captors in trouble, they defected to the Scythians and so routed the Parthian army,
slaying the Arsacid prince. Lots 343-348, minted respectively at Nisa, Tambrax, Epardus, and some unidentifiable Parthian districts/
cities, attest to Phraates’ campaign that began favourably in 128 BC but ended in failure about autumn 127 BC in northeast Parthia.
344
Phraates II (132-127 BC), Silver Drachm, 4.10g, 12h. Minted at Nisa. Short-bearded and diademed bust left,
wearing single turn torque, monogram IN behind head, dotted border. Rev. Archer seated right on omphalos,
four-line inscription
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟY
(right)
ΑΡΣΑΚΟY ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ
(left) (S 16.10). About very
fine.
Very
rare
.
$ 650
