Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 5 27 Oct 2019
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KINGS OF PARTHIA. Mithradates I, 165-132 BC. Drachm (Silver, 15 mm, 3.32 g, 1 h), Seleukeia on the Tigris, SE 173 = 140/39 BC. Diademed head of Mithradates I to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / MEΓAΛOY - APΣAKOY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; to left, monogram; in exergue, [ΓOP]. Sellwood 13.8. Shore 8. Sunrise 264. Very rare. An attractively toned example of this historically important issue. Very fine.
From an American collection of Oriental Greek and Central Asian coins and from the A.K. Collection, Triton XV, 3 January 2012, 1339 (part of).
While the founder of the Parthian Empire was Arsakes I (247-211 BC), it would be Mithradates I who, through the conquest of Baktria (150s), Media (148/7) and Mesopotamia (141/0), established it as a major power for the centuries to come. A large-scale Seleukid counter offensive under Demetrios II initially proved to be quite successful, but the Greek King was eventually defeated and captured by Mithradates I in 138 after refusing a peace offer by his opponent. The present coin of Mithradates I was struck two years before, in 140/39, in the recently captured Seleukid mint of Seleukeia on the Tigris, explaining its distinctively Greek style.
From an American collection of Oriental Greek and Central Asian coins and from the A.K. Collection, Triton XV, 3 January 2012, 1339 (part of).
While the founder of the Parthian Empire was Arsakes I (247-211 BC), it would be Mithradates I who, through the conquest of Baktria (150s), Media (148/7) and Mesopotamia (141/0), established it as a major power for the centuries to come. A large-scale Seleukid counter offensive under Demetrios II initially proved to be quite successful, but the Greek King was eventually defeated and captured by Mithradates I in 138 after refusing a peace offer by his opponent. The present coin of Mithradates I was struck two years before, in 140/39, in the recently captured Seleukid mint of Seleukeia on the Tigris, explaining its distinctively Greek style.