Baldwin & Sons
Auction 100 27 September 2016
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ANCIENT COINS, THE DAVID SELLWOOD COLLECTION OF PARTHIAN COINS (PART FOUR), Phraates IV (38/7-2 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, overstruck at Seleucia on the Tigris on an S55.7-9 Tetradrachm of Tiridates (c. October 31 - April 26 BC, intermittently), diademed bust left with medium and tapering beard, wart on brow, wearing spiral torque, 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], 13.76g, 12h (S 51.25-31). About very fine, well centred on both sides, rare.
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 coinage (the S55.7-9 Tetradrachms from months Xandikos, Artemisios, Daisios, and a new variety from Panemos, covering the period April-July 26 BC). This coin is both historically and numismatically significant, because it confirms the seizure and destruction of Tiridates' tetradrachms shortly after Phraates' triumphant return in spring 26 BC.
Estimate: £400-600
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 coinage (the S55.7-9 Tetradrachms from months Xandikos, Artemisios, Daisios, and a new variety from Panemos, covering the period April-July 26 BC). This coin is both historically and numismatically significant, because it confirms the seizure and destruction of Tiridates' tetradrachms shortly after Phraates' triumphant return in spring 26 BC.
Estimate: £400-600