Baldwin & Sons
Auction 100 27 September 2016
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ANCIENT COINS, THE DAVID SELLWOOD COLLECTION OF PARTHIAN COINS (PART FOUR), Vologases VI (AD 207/8-221/2), Silver Drachm (early issue), minted at Ecbatana c. AD 207/8-211/12, bust left with long pointed beard, wearing single banded diadem with double loop, and tiara with earflaps, decorated with pearls on stalk around crest and vertically on side, two Aramaic letters wl (for Wlgšy = Vologases) behind head, two pendent ends to diadem, rev archer enthroned right, monogram below bow, Aramaic Wlgšy MLK' (King Vologases,) followed by a four line stylised and totally blundered "Greek" inscription, 3.68g, 12h (S 88.18). Extremely fine.
It had been assumed that the presence of the abbreviated personal name "wl" (Vologases) on the obverse of this and similar specimens attested to the conflict between Vologases VI and his brother Artabanus VI (see lots 424-425). However, the recent discovery of a new Parthian king (probably also called Vologases) who briefly reigned in Iran before the revolt of Artabanus VI in AD 211/12 has overturned this hypothesis. We may now postulate that this new Arsacid prince disputed the succession to the throne of Vologases VI after the death of Vologases V around AD 207. The above and other early drachms of Vologases VI may thus be taken as having been minted during the c. AD 207/8-211/12 period of internal strife in Parthia.
Estimate: £100-150
It had been assumed that the presence of the abbreviated personal name "wl" (Vologases) on the obverse of this and similar specimens attested to the conflict between Vologases VI and his brother Artabanus VI (see lots 424-425). However, the recent discovery of a new Parthian king (probably also called Vologases) who briefly reigned in Iran before the revolt of Artabanus VI in AD 211/12 has overturned this hypothesis. We may now postulate that this new Arsacid prince disputed the succession to the throne of Vologases VI after the death of Vologases V around AD 207. The above and other early drachms of Vologases VI may thus be taken as having been minted during the c. AD 207/8-211/12 period of internal strife in Parthia.
Estimate: £100-150