Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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KINGS OF PARTHIA. Mithradates II, 121-91 BC. Drachm (Silver, 21 mm, 4.18 g, 12 h), Ekbatana, 109-96/5. Diademed bust of Mithradates to left, wearing elaborate robes and a multi-spiral torc. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ//ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ//ΜΕΓAΛΟΥ//ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ/ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on high-backed throne, holding bow. Sellwood 27.2. Shore 86-87. Sunrise 294. A splendid, sharply struck coin with glossy surfaces and a fine portrait. Good extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection.
The really fine style drachms of Mithridates II of Parthia - like this one - were, unlike those of Mihradates I, engraved to show a portrait that was completely non-Greek in character. The best of the dies for the earlier coins were engraved in a way that emphasized the semi-hellenized nature of the Parthian ruler. His beard was rather un-Greek but, overall, he was like a Turkish Sultan wearing a 19th century European ceremonial uniform: except for the fez he might have been Napoleon III's cousin! But here, on this drachm, we have a ruler who could have just stepped out of a relief from 7th century BC Assyria!.
From a Swiss collection.
The really fine style drachms of Mithridates II of Parthia - like this one - were, unlike those of Mihradates I, engraved to show a portrait that was completely non-Greek in character. The best of the dies for the earlier coins were engraved in a way that emphasized the semi-hellenized nature of the Parthian ruler. His beard was rather un-Greek but, overall, he was like a Turkish Sultan wearing a 19th century European ceremonial uniform: except for the fez he might have been Napoleon III's cousin! But here, on this drachm, we have a ruler who could have just stepped out of a relief from 7th century BC Assyria!.