weight 3,76gr. silver Ø 20mm. 

obv. Head of Mithradates left, wearing bashlyk  
rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on omphalos, holding bow,
BAΣIΛEΩΣ  MEΓAΛOY APΣAKOY around

Hecatompylos was a Parthian city in western Khurasan and dring the Arsacid dynasty it was the capital of the Parthian Empire. Hecatompylos lay on the Silk Road trade route between the Near East and China. Although it is thought to have been built at a location now between the Iranian cities, Dāmghān and Shāhrūd, its precise site has not been established.

Sellwood 10/1 ; BMC 13 ; Collection Shore 12 ; Sunrise 254 ;
SNG.Copenhagen 4 ; Mitchiner 620a ; Mitchiner ACW.467 ; Sear 7328 R
vf+ à vf/xf

weight 4,51gr. silver Ø 18mm.   

obv. Head of Phraates left, NICA(IA) behind  
rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on omphalos, holding bow,
BAΣIΛEΩΣ  MEΓAΛOY APΣAKOY ΘEOΠATOΡOΣ  around

Nisa (also Parthaunisa) was an ancient Parthian city, located near modern-day Bagir village, 18 km southwest of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. Nisa is described by some as the first seat of central government of the Parthians. It is traditionally assumed to be founded by Arsakes I (circa 250-211 BC), and was reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum.

Sellwood 16/8 ; BMC 12 ; Collection Shore 48 ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 20) ; 
Mitchiner 631b ; Mitchiner ACW.496 ; cf. Sear 7352 R
vf-/vf

weight 3,23gr. ;  silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear;
single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets
rev. Beardless archer (Arsakes I) wearing bashlyk and cloak
seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching
well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border;
five-line Greek inscription: above ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, on right ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ,
below ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ, on left ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ

Opinions among numismatists as to which king this drachma should be attributed to are rather divided. Sellwood initially attributed it to Gotarzes I, but later changed his mind and dated the coin slightly younger, namely around 80-70 BC. and attributed to an "unknown king".

Sear 7382 ; BMC P.39, 8 (Artabanos II) ; Slg.Shore 134 ;
Sellwood 30/11 ; SNG. Copenhagen 55-60 (unknown king) ;
cf. Mitchiner ACW.523-530 (Orodes I) ; Gardner Pl.II, 9 (Phraates II)
vf

weight 3,84gr. ;  silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear;
single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets
rev. Beardless archer (Arsakes I) wearing bashlyk and cloak
seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching
well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border;
five-line Greek inscription: above ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, on right ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ,
below ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ, on left ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ

Opinions among numismatists as to which king this drachma should be attributed to are rather divided. Sellwood initially attributed it to Gotarzes I, but later changed his mind and dated the coin slightly younger, namely around 80-70 BC and attributed to an "unknown king"

Sear 7382 ; BMC P.39, 8 (Artabanos II) ; Slg.Shore 134 ;
Sellwood 30/11 ; SNG. Copenhagen 55-60 (unknown king) ;
cf. Mitchiner ACW.523-530 (Orodes I) ; Gardner Pl.II, 9 (Phraates II)
vf-

weight 4,18gr. ;  silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Medium-bearded bust of Orodes left wearing Median
beleweled tiara with seven-point star in triple dotted border
and pellet ended torque
rev. Beardless Archer (Arsakes I) wearing bashlyk and cloak
seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand, six-line
legend in square around; above BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY, 
on right APΣAKOY, below AYTOKPATOPOΣ ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ, 
on left EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ

Orodes I ruled the Parthian Empire from circa 90 to 78 BC in succession to Gotarzes I and Mithridates III. He reigned during the "Parthian Dark Age", which was a period of internal turmoil and civil war for the Parthian Empire. Coins bearing Orodes′ likeness were issued from the Median mints of the cities of Ecbatana and Rhagae. The history of Parthia is quite obscure during this period, but Orodes′ reign seems to have ended, as it had begun, in civil war with an unknown claimant. The name of his successor, Arsaces XVI, is also unknown, and it is only with the beginning of the reign of Sanatruces, circa 77 BC, that the line of Parthian rulers can again be reliably traced.

Orodes is mentioned as king of kings of the Arsacid dynasty in
a Babylonian report of the lunar eclipse of 11 April 80 BC.

cf. Sear 7389 ; cf. BMC 1-15 (Sinatrukes) ; cf. Slg.Shore 122 ; cf. Sellwood 31/5 ;

cf. Sunrise 308 ; cf. de Morgan pl.VIII, 18 (Sinatrukes) ; cf. Mitchiner 636 ;

cf. SNG. Copenhagen 65-68 (Sinatrukes) ; cf. Mitchiner ACW.534 (Sinatrukes)
cf. Gardner Pl.III, 2 (Sinatrukes)
Wonderful coin with beautiful tone and fine details.
xf

weight 3,68gr. ;  silver Ø 21mm

obv. Medium-bearded bust of Orodes left wearing Median
beleweled tiara with eight-point star in triple dotted border
and pellet ended torque
rev. Beardless Archer (Arsakes I) wearing
bashlyk and cloakseated right on throne, holding bow in right hand,
six-linelegend in square around; above BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY, 
on right APΣAKOY, below AYTOKPATOPOΣ ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ, 
on left EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ

Orodes I ruled the Parthian Empire from circa 90 to 78 BC in succession to Gotarzes I and Mithridates III. He reigned during the "Parthian Dark Age", which was a period of internal turmoil and civil war for the Parthian Empire. Coins bearing Orodes′ likeness were issued from the Median mints of the cities of Ecbatana and Rhagae. The history of Parthia is quite obscure during this period, but Orodes′ reign seems to have ended, as it had begun, in civil war with an unknown claimant. The name of his successor, Arsaces XVI, is also unknown, and it is only with the beginning of the reign of Sanatruces, circa 77 BC, that the line of Parthian rulers can again be reliably traced.

Orodes is mentioned as king of kings of the Arsacid dynasty
in a Babylonian report of the lunar eclipse of 11 April 80 BC.

Sear 7389 ; cf. BMC 1-15 (Sinatrukes) ; Slg.Shore 122 ; Sellwood 31/5 ;
Sunrise 308 ; de Morgan pl.VIII, 18 (Sinatrukes) ; Mitchiner 636 ;
SNG. Copenhagen 65-68 (Sinatrukes) ; Mitchiner ACW.534 (Sinatrukes)
Gardner Pl.III, 2 (Sinatrukes)
vf//vf+

weight 3,91gr. ;  silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Long-bearded bust of Sinatrukes left wearing ornamented tiara, 
decorated with horn in the centre, wearing torque
rev. Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, 
holding bow in right hand, BAΣIΛEΩΣ above, MEΓAΛOY on right, 
ΘEOΠATOPOΣ NIKATOPOΣ on left, APΣAKOY below

The Parthian Empire had since the death of Mithridates II (r. 124–88 BC) fallen into a state of turmoil and decline; the authority of the crown had decreased, while the empire lost lands to its neighbours. Sinatrukes, who originally resided amongst the Saka (Sacaraucae) of Central Asia, took advantage of the chaotic situation in the empire, and with the aid of the Saka captured the Parthian throne in c. 77 BC, at the age of eighty. It was during a time of confusion in Parthia, for Tigranes II the Great of Armenia had retaken Atropatene and Gordyene, and had made incursions almost as far west as Ecbatana, and took the title ′king of kings′ which Parthian kings of that time did not hold according to their coins. This state of affairs lasted until the Roman general Lucullus took Nisibis in 68 BC, diverting the attention of the Armenians away from Parthia to their east. But for the most part, Sinatrukes appears to have been involved with the Armenians his full reign. It is believed that Sinatrukes was an Arsakid prince, for little other reason can be found for placing him on the throne at his advanced age. David Sellwood, historian, designates Sinatrukes as a probably younger brother of Mithridates I. His coins are found in Susa, as well as elsewhere, and indication that he recovered most of Iran, including Babylonia, for the Parthians. He was succeeded by his son Phraates III sometime between 70 and 68 BC, probably in 69 BC.

On the obverse of his coins, Sinatrukes is portrayed with a tiara decorated with a line of stags. The stags are a reference to the religious symbolism of the Saka, who had helped him ascend the throne. Sinatrukes′ son Phraates III also made use of stag symbols on his coins.

Sellwood 33/1 ; Shore 112 Mitchiner ACW.543 (Phraates III) ;
SNG.Copenhagen 70 (Phraates III) ; BMC p. 52, no. 66 (Phraates III) ;
cf. Slg. Shore 116
vf/vf+

weight 4,04gr. silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Diademed and draped bust of Phraates III left, wearing short beard
and torque,within pelleted border
rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow, monogram in
right field below bow, BAΣIΛEΩΣ  MEΓAΛOY above APΣAKOY on right,  
ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ EYEPΓETOY on left, EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ  below

Phraates III (Parthian:Frahāt), was King of Kings of the Arsacid Empire from 69 to 57 BC. He was the son and successor of Sinatruces. He was called "the Gold" because of his coins, that were ideal for sailors because they were polished with gold dust, so that people from other countries considered their value higher than their actual value.

When Phraates III came to the throne in 69 BC, the Roman general Lucullus was preparing to attack Tigranes the Great, king of Armenia, who was supreme in western Asia and had wrested Mesopotamia and several vassal states from Parthia. Naturally, Phraates declined to assist Mithradates VI of Pontus and Tigranes against the Romans. Instead, he supported his son-in-law, the younger Tigranes, when he rebelled against his father, and invaded Armenia in 65 BC in alliance with Pompey, who abandoned Mesopotamia to the Parthians. But the desperate Pompey soon overrode the pompous treaty; he acknowledged the elder Tigranes, took his son prisoner, occupied the vassal states Gordyene and Osroene for the Romans, and denied the title of "king of kings," which Phraates had adopted again, to the Parthian king.

About 57 BC Phraates was murdered by his two sons, Orodes II and Mithridates IV. Mithridates IV, who was the elder brother of Orodes II, was at first supported by the latter. However, this was shortlived: with the support of the Suren clan, Orodes II revolted against his brother, and by 55 BC was the sole ruler of the Arsacid Empire.

Sellwood 36/9 (Darios I) ; Shore 155 ; cf. BMC 33 ;
cf. Sunrise 321 ; cf. Mitchiner ACW.542 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Sear- RR
Very attractive well-centred coin lovely tone. Very rare. 
vf/xf

weight 4,05gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.

obv. Diademed and draped bust of Orodes II , wearing short 
beard and torque with hald turn visible, within pelleted border
rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow, 
AΓT-monogram in right field below bow, seven-line legend
in square around; above BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN, on right
APΣAKOY, on left EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, in exergue
EVEPΓETOV ΔIAKIOV

Orodes II of Parthia (also called Hyrodes Anaridius) was the king of the Parthian Empire from 57 BC to 38 BC. Orodes was a son of Phraates III, whom he murdered in 57 BC, assisted by his brother Mithridates. He married a Greek Princess from the Kingdom of Commagene, called Laodice who was a daughter of King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene and Queen Isias Philostorgos of Commagene. Orodes′ brother Mithridates was made king of Media; but, soon afterwards, Mithridates was disposed by Orodes and forced to flee to Syria. Mithridates then returned to invade Parthia, restoring his reign as king briefly in 55 BC. However, king Mithridates was besieged by Orodes′ general, Surena, in Seleucia on the Tigris: after a prolonged resistance, Mithridates was captured and slain. Meanwhile, the Roman general and triumvir Marcus Licinius Crassus had made an attempt to extend his share of Roman territory by eastward conquest, and in the event had been decisively defeated and killed in 53 BC, in the Battle of Carrhae, along with his son and with the loss of most of his army, by Orodes′ general Surena. During the Roman Republican civil wars the Parthians sided first with Pompey and then with Brutus and Cassius, but took no action until 40 BC, when Pacorus, assisted by the Roman deserter Quintus Labienus, conquered a great part of Syria and Asia Minor. In Judea, the Parthian commander Barzapharnes deposed king Hyrcanus II and appointed the latter′s nephew Antigonus as king in his place.

During this period, the Parthians restored their territory to nearly the limits of the old Achaemenid Empire and controlled all of Asia Minor except for a few cities, but the Parthian successes were not long-lasting. In 39 BC, a Roman counterattack under Ventidius in Asia Minor defeated Labienus, who was subsequently captured and executed. Orodes′ son Pacorus was himself later killed by Ventidius in 38 BC. Orodes, who was deeply afflicted by the death of his gallant son, appointed his son Phraates IV successor, but was soon afterwards killed by him. Plutarch relates that Orodes understood Greek very well. After the death of Crassus the Bacchae of Euripides was presented at Artavasdes′ court, with the head of Crassus himself allegedly being used as an accessory for a scene actually including a severed head, on the order of the king.

This form of reverse inscription was adopted as the norm by nearly all the successors of Orodes II right down to the end on the dynasty. However, ignorance of Greek on the part of the later die engravers led to the deterioration of the legend almost unrecognizable form.

BMC p.74-75, no. 38-45 (Orodes I) ; Sellwood 45/9 ; Sear 7441 ;
Shore 222 ; cf. Mitchiner ACW.565 ; SNG.Copenhagen 92
attractive toning
vf+/vf

weight 3,88gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Short-bearded bust left wearing diadem and
pellet-ended torque, star before and crescent behind;
no wart visible on forehead; circular border of pellets
rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow, 
anchor behind, MTΘ-monogram in right field below bow, 
seven-line blundered legend in square around, derived from; 
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ
ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ

Orodes II of Parthia (also called Hyrodes Anaridius) was the king of the Parthian Empire from 57 BC to 38 BC. Orodes was a son of Phraates III, whom he murdered in 57 BC, assisted by his brother Mithridates. He married a Greek Princess from the Kingdom of Commagene, called Laodice who was a daughter of King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene and Queen Isias Philostorgos of Commagene. Orodes′ brother Mithridates was made king of Media; but, soon afterwards, Mithridates was disposed by Orodes and forced to flee to Syria. Mithridates then returned to invade Parthia, restoring his reign as king briefly in 55 BC. However, king Mithridates was besieged by Orodes′ general, Surena, in Seleucia on the Tigris: after a prolonged resistance, Mithridates was captured and slain. Meanwhile, the Roman general and triumvir Marcus Licinius Crassus had made an attempt to extend his share of Roman territory by eastward conquest, and in the event had been decisively defeated and killed in 53 BC, in the Battle of Carrhae, along with his son and with the loss of most of his army, by Orodes′ general Surena. During the Roman Republican civil wars the Parthians sided first with Pompey and then with Brutus and Cassius, but took no action until 40 BC, when Pacorus, assisted by the Roman deserter Quintus Labienus, conquered a great part of Syria and Asia Minor. In Judea, the Parthian commander Barzapharnes deposed king Hyrcanus II and appointed the latter′s nephew Antigonus as king in his place.

During this period, the Parthians restored their territory to nearly the limits of the old Achaemenid Empire and controlled all of Asia Minor except for a few cities, but the Parthian successes were not long-lasting. In 39 BC, a Roman counterattack under Ventidius in Asia Minor defeated Labienus, who was subsequently captured and executed. Orodes′ son Pacorus was himself later killed by Ventidius in 38 BC. Orodes, who was deeply afflicted by the death of his gallant son, appointed his son Phraates IV successor, but was soon afterwards killed by him. Plutarch relates that Orodes understood Greek very well. After the death of Crassus the Bacchae of Euripides was presented at Artavasdes′ court, with the head of Crassus himself allegedly being used as an accessory for a scene actually including a severed head, on the order of the king.

This form of reverse inscription was adopted as the norm by nearly all the successors of Orodes II right down to the end on the dynasty. However, ignorance of Greek on the part of the later die engravers led to the deterioration of the legend almost unrecognizable form.

Nisa was an ancient settlement of the Parthians, located near the Bagyr neighborhood of Ashgabat, in modern Turkmenistan. Nisa is described by some as the first seat of the Arsacid Empire. It is traditionally assumed to have been founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC–211 BC) and was reputedly the royal residence of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum. The Parthian Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations of the ancient world, and a brilliant rival of Rome which prevented the expansion of the Roman Empire to the east. Nisa, the capital of the Parthian Empire, is the outstanding symbol of the significance of this imperial power. It was later renamed Mithradatkert (′fortress of Mithradates′) by Mithridates I of Parthia (reigned c. 171 BC–138 BC). The region was famous for the beauty, agility and strength of its horses. Nisa was totally destroyed by an earthquake during the 1st decade BC. Excavations at Nisa have revealed substantial buildings, mausoleums and shrines, many inscribed documents, and a looted treasury. Many Hellenistic art works have been uncovered, as well as a large number of ivory rhytons and coins.

BMC p.84, no. 138-141 (Orodes I) ; Sellwood 47/24 ;
SNG.Copenhagen 100 ; Michiner 643b ; Sear 7444var. ;
Mitchiner ACW.572-573 R
Attractive toning. A rare historical coin.
vf

weight 9,66gr. silver Ø 28mm.

obv. Bust left with pointed beard, wearing diadem and three-band spiral
torque with no visible end; ear visible, hair above diadem as ringlets,
below as three waves; wart visible on forehead; each side of head,
Nike flying with diadem; circular border of dots

rev. Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne
with back, holding bow in right hand; below bow, Greek letters ΑΙΤ (vertical),
surrounded by a seven-line Greek inscription;  ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ
ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ

Phraates V (Phraatakes) was the fifth son of the Phraates IV (r. 37–2 BC) and the first son with his Roman wife Musa, who was originally an Italian slave-girl given to him by the Roman emperor Augustus (r. 27 BC – 14 AD) after a treaty in 20 BC in which the Romans returned Phraates IV his kidnapped son in return for the lost legionary standards taken at Carrhae in 53 BC, as well as any surviving prisoners of war. The Parthians viewed this exchange as a small price to pay to regain the prince. Musa quickly became queen and a favourite of Phraates IV, giving birth to Phraates V (Phraatakes) in c. 19 BC. This fifth son of Phraates IV was regularly known by the diminutive version of his name, Phraatakes. meaning "the small Phraates". It was reportedly under her influence, that Phraates IV in 10/9 BC sent his four first-born sons, all children of earlier marriages, to Rome in order to prevent conflict over his succession. In 2 BC, Musa had Phraates IV poisoned and made herself, along with Phraates V, the co-rulers of the Parthian empire. According to the 1st-century Roman historian Josephus, he heard a rumour that Musa enjoyed sexual relations with her son. This and the coinage of Musa with Phraates V, led to some scholars believe that the two had married. However, there is no evidence that supports this claim; neither under the Parthians, nor their Persian predecessors, the Achaemenids, is there reliable evidence that marriage was practised between parents and their children.

At his accession, Phraates V inherited a long dispute between the Parthians and the Romans over Armenia and Mesopotamia. As a result, Augustus dispatched an army under his adopted son Caius Caesar to capture both regions. Before war broke out, they were met by an emissary of Phraates V, who demanded the king′s brothers be returned to him. Augustus wrote a mocking response in a letter to Phraates V, which simply addressed him as "Phraates". He demanded that Phraates relinquish his crown and give up his claims to Armenia. Not intimidated, Phraates V replied back, according to the classical Roman historian Cassius Dio; "in a generally haughty tone, styling himself King of Kings and addressing Augustus simply as Caesar".

Ultimately, the two powers agreed to come to terms through diplomacy: a peace-treaty was agreed in 1 AD, which made Armenia a Roman vassal state, whilst the Romans agreed to acknowledge the Parthian Empire as its equal, and Phraates V as its rightful ruler. It was important to Phraates V that he was acknowledged by the Romans, due to his insecure domestic position in the country. However, this strategy backfired. In 4 AD, the Parthian nobility, already discontented with the son of an Italian slave-girl occupying the throne, were further angered by his acknowledgement of Roman suzerainty in Armenia, expelling Phraates V and Musa from the Parthian throne. Both fled to Rome, where Augustus welcomed them. The Parthian nobility then placed Orodes III on the throne.

Like his father, Phraates V′s obverse coins depicts a figure resembling the Greek goddess Nikè holding a ring and diadem behind his head. Likewise, the title of Phraates V on his coinage remained the same as that of his father: ″Basileos Basileon Arsakou Euergetou Dikaiou Epiphanous Philellenos″, translation;  ″[coin] of the King of Kings, Arsakes, Just, Benefactor, Illustrious, Philhellene.″

Struck in year 311 of the Seleukid Era. These numbers were arranged in backward alphabetic order, from larger to smaller; so AIT must be explained as: A = 1, I = 10, T = 300, which results in 311.

The beginning of the Seleukid Era, 312/311 BC, marks the return of Seleukos I to Babylon after the Battle of Gaza. Although the official date is the autumn of 312 BC, some peoples, possibly including the Jews, considered the following year, 311 BC, to be the beginning of the Era. The Seleukid Era was used not only in the Seleukid Empire but also in other Hellenistic empires, and continued in use in some areas, such as among Yemenite Jews, until the 20th century. Parthian coins, particularly tetradrachms minted in Seleukia on the Tigris, frequently utilized the Seleukid Era calendar for dating. Using the Seleukid Era allowed the Parthians to connect with the existing Hellenistic culture and administration in the region, presenting themselves as successors to the Seleucid rulers. It was also used on cuneiform tablets from approximately 306 BC to 75 AD. Ultimately, the Seleukid Era was replaced in Macedonia by the Roman era and in the Near East by the Islamic era.

cf. BMC 5-8 ; Sellwood 57/1-9 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ;
Mitchiner ACW.601 ; Sear 5759var. ; cf. Sunrise 401 ;
cf. Slg. Shore 314-316 R
Very attractive specimen with good details.
A rare historical coin.
vf/xf

weight 3,43gr. silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Diademed head left, loop behind head, 
BACIΛEYC ONWNHC before and above head
rev. Nike standing right, holding wreath and palm frond; 
Ekbatana mintmonogram in right field below palm frond, 
four-line Greek legend around, forming square ;  
OACIΛEYC ONWNHC NEIKHCAC APTAOANON

Vonones I of Parthia (Onones on his coins) ruled the Parthian Empire from about 8 to 12 AD. He was the eldest son of Phraates IV of Parthia (ruled circa 37–2 BC) and was sent to Rome as a hostage in the 20s BC as surety for a treaty his father made with Augustus. After the assassination of Orodes III in about 6 AD, the Parthians applied to Augustus for a new King from the house of Arsaces. Augustus sent them Vonones I, but he could not maintain himself as King; he had been educated as a Roman, and was despised by the Parthian nobility as a Roman stooge. Another member of the Arsacid house, Artabanus II of Parthia (ruled circa 10–38), who was living among the Dahae nomads in the east of Parthia, was invited to the throne. In a civil war he defeated and expelled Vonones I.

This coin commemorates Vonones′ victory over Artabanos II;
The coins of Vonones I date from 8 to 12 AD and bear the inscription ″King Vonones, conqueror of Artabanus″ commemorating a temporary victory over his rival. Those of Artabanus II begin in the year 10. In about the year 12 Vonones I fled into Armenia and became King there. Artabanus II demanded his deposition, and as Augustus did not wish to begin a war with the Parthians he moved Vonones I into Syria, where he was kept in custody, though in a kingly style. Later he was moved to Cilicia, and when he tried to escape in about 19 AD, he was killed by his guards.

Sellwood 60/5; Shore 329; Sunrise 407  R
Well struck on a nice broad flan. Rare historical coin.
vf+

weight 3,54gr. silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Bust left with short beard wearing tiara with ear flaps,
decorated with star and crescents, diadem with loop at the top
and two wide ends, earring visible, all within dotted circle.
rev. Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, seat not visible,
holding bow in extended right hand,cross below seat, Ekbatana
mint monogram in right field below bow, seven-lineblundered
Greek legend around, forming square.

Parthamaspates gained the Parthian throne by acting as a Roman collaborator (“Puppet King”). The son of Osroes I (not the great-nephew as Shore maintains), he spent much of his life in Roman exile and accompanied the Emperor Trajanus on his campaign to conquer Parthia. After first planning to annex Parthia, Trajanus prudently decided to place Parthamaspates as a Roman client-king on the Parthian throne. After the Roman withdrawal, however, Parthamaspates was easily defeated by Osroes and fled to the Romans who granted him the small Roman client state of Osrhoene in consolation. Although signed with the Ekbatana monogram, Parthamaspates′ drachms may have been struck at Ctesiphon by the Romans after Trajanus proclaimed him king. The engraving of his portraits show at least some Roman influence.

BMC p.201, 46 ; Sellwood 81/1 ; Mitchiner ACW.681 ; 
Sear GIC.5848 ; SNG.Copenhagen 212 (Pakoros II) ;
Sunrise 449 ; Numista 380900 ; Slg. Shore 423 R
a rare coin type
vf

weight 3,87gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Cuirassed bust if king left with long pointed beard, wearing diademed tiara
rev. Archer enthroned right, holding bow, blundered legend above

This king is unknown to history.

BMC 23,147,1 ; Sellwood 85,1,2
Wonderful coin with excellent details. Near mintstate.
unc-

weight 3,26gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Cuirassed bust if king left with long pointed beard, wearing diademed tiara
rev. Archer enthroned right, holding bow, blundered legend above

This king is unknown to history.

BMC 23,147,1 ; Sellwood 85,1,2
Small flan crack. Attractive patina.
about xf