Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 4 25 May 2019
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KINGS OF PERSIS. Autophradates (Vadfradad) II, early-mid 2nd century BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 19 mm, 16.81 g, 12 h), Istakhr (Persepolis). Bearded head of Vadfradad II to right, wearing diadem and kyrbasia topped by an eagle with spread wings. Rev. Fire-temple of Ahura-Mazda; above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda to left; to left, King standing right, his hands raised in adoration; to right, eagle standing left on standard; in exergue and between altar and standard, legend. Alram 546 var. (with no or very short legend). CNG 97 (2014), 440 var. (legend to upper left). Leu 2 (2018), 168 var. (short legend). Sunrise 574 var. (anepigraphic). Extremely rare and of great interest. Good very fine.
For a long time, the issues of Vadfradad II were believed to carry no legends except for a few imitative letters such as on lot 405 below. In the past years, however, a small number of tetradrachms with long legends have turned up, perhaps an early series before mass production led to the abandonment of any inscriptions. Unfortunately, most of these coins are weakly struck and the Aramaic letters carelessly engraved, making a reading often hard, if not impossible.
For a long time, the issues of Vadfradad II were believed to carry no legends except for a few imitative letters such as on lot 405 below. In the past years, however, a small number of tetradrachms with long legends have turned up, perhaps an early series before mass production led to the abandonment of any inscriptions. Unfortunately, most of these coins are weakly struck and the Aramaic letters carelessly engraved, making a reading often hard, if not impossible.