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Artabanus I (c. 127 - 124 B.C.)

ΑΡΤΑΒΑΝΟΣ

Artabanus I was seventh king of the Parthians, succeeding Phraates II on the throne. He was the son of Phriapatius, brother of Phraates I, Mithradates I, and an unnamed brother (who was never king but the father of Gotarzes I), and uncle of Phraates II and Gotarzes I. See the genealogy chart.

He inherited the problems with the Saka forces to the east, to whom he may have had to pay tribute.1  But with the Saka threatening the entire kingdom, Artabanus II was soon required to campaign against them. In Bactria he was wounded in the forearm, possibly from a poisoned weapon, which almost immediately caused his death in 124/123 B.C.2  McDowell notes that the "Victory" coins of 124/123 B.C. were probably struck at Seleucia by Himerus, Parthian governor of Mesopotamia.3

Although he lost Babylonia to the kingdom of Characene, Parthian coin artistry reached its peak during his rule.

Click here to view the inscriptions on this king's coins.

____________________
Notes:
1. Joan. Antioch. fr. 66 (FHG, IV, 561)
2. Debevoise, 38
3. McDowell, Coins from Seleucia, p. 183

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Coins in the name of Arsaces attributed to Artabanus I

The attributions and cataloging of Parthian coins used throughout this web site follow David Sellwood's An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia (1980, 2nd edition) for consistency. The few exceptions to this policy are explained here.

Click on coin images to enlarge:

Sellwood Type 19

Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.91g (PDC 2719)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription with dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ
- Sellwood 19.1 [2 in db]
- Shore 57 (this coin)
- CNG 36 (5-6 Dec 1995), lot 57 (this coin)
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.10g 12h (PDC 21073)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ has retrograde Σ in four-line Greek inscription with dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ
Current collection: Museum of Yerevan, 19798/33; 17349/33
Photo from Mousheghian, Moneta 17
- Sellwood 19.1 variant (retrograde Σ in ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ) [2 in db]
- Mousheghian, Moneta 17, pl.3, 34 (this coin)
PDC 20174 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.56g (PDC 20174)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ
Previous collection: Lubicz
Photo from Catalogue of the Coins of Parthia (BMC Parthia, 1903)
- Sellwood 19.2 [1 in db]
- BMC Parthia, p. 20, 3; plate 5, no. 3 (Artabanus I) (this coin)
PDC 20740 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.71g (PDC 20740)
Mint?
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line corrupted Greek inscription without dividing lines
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 19.2 variant (Eastern issue, corrupted legend) [3 in db]
- Peus 376 (Oct 2003), Lot 604 (this coin)
- Shore 65
PDC 31687 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.29g (PDC 31687)
Mint?
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; line 4 reads ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΣ in four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΣ
Note: Reverse double struck
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 19.2 variant (legend ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΣ) [6 in db]
- Peus 384 (1 Nov 2005), Lot 373 (this coin)
- Shore 58
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm (PDC 19767)
Mint?
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; line 4 reads ΘΕΟΠΑΤΡΟΣ in four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΡΟΣ
- Sellwood 19.2 variant (legend ΘΕΟΠΑΤΡΟΣ) [1 in db]
- Sellwood ICP (1980), Plates, no. 19.2 (this coin)
PDC 41660 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.3g 18mm (PDC 41660)
Mint?
Obv: medium-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; line 4 reads ΘΕΠΑΤΟΡΣ in four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΠΑΤΟΡΣ
Photo by Indus Numismatic Gallery
- Sellwood 19.2 variant (legend ΘΕΠΑΤΟΡΣ) [1 in db]

Sellwood Type 20

PDC 45360 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.01g 20mm 12h (PDC 45360)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 20.1 [93 in db]
- CNG E-Auction 166 (13 Jun 207), lot 83 (this coin)
- Shore 59
PDC 20739 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.12g (PDC 20739)
Mint?
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; Greek letters ΙΜ behind omphalos; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Note: unpublished variant
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 20.1 variant (ΙΜ behind omphalos) [1 in db]
- Peus 376 (Oct 2003), Lot 603 (this coin)
- Shore not listed
PDC 9213 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.50g (PDC 9213)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; ΦΙΛΑΤΑΙΟΥ instead of ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ in four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines
Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C1-2, R
Previous collection: Petrowicz
Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904)
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 20.1 variant (ΦΙΛΑΤΑΙΟΥ) [1 in db]
- Petrowicz p.11,1; pl.I-13 (this coin)
PDC 20738 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.09g (PDC 20738)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription with dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 20.2 [11 in db]
- Peus 376 (Oct 2003), Lot 602 (this coin)
- Shore 60
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm (PDC 652)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; behind bust, monogram [~~]; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Previous collection: M. I. Mochiri
Photo Harmatta, History of civilizations of Central Asia, Vol. 2
- Sellwood 20.3 [6 in db]
- Janos Harmatta, History of civilizations of Central Asia, Vol. 2, pp. 141 (this coin)
PDC 9215 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.93g (PDC 9215)
Mint: Rhagae
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; behind bust, Greek letters ΡΑ; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C1-2, RR
Previous collection: Petrowicz; S. Alichan, Constantinople
Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904)
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 20.4 [5 in db]
- Petrowicz p.12,9; pl.I-15 (this coin)
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.82g 21mm (PDC 12125)
Mint: Margiane
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; behind bust, Greek letters ΜΑΡ read from inside; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Current collection: The State Hermitage Museum, 19912
Photo Loginov & Nikitin, "Parthian Coins from Margiana" (1996)
- Sellwood 20.5 [1 in db]
- Loginov & Nikitin, Parthian Coins from Margiana (1996), no. 4 (this coin)
PDC 6244 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.94g (PDC 6244)
Mint: Margiane
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; behind bust, Greek letters ΜΑΡ read from outside; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Current collection: Bibliothèque nationale, Paris, 1972-45
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 20.6 [1 in db]
PDC 34923 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AE Dichalkous 4.35g 20mm 12h (PDC 34923)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, earring, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: horse walking right; no border; four-line Greek inscription without dividing lines = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ
Provenance: ex Najaf Coins & Collectibles
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 20.7 [6 in db]

Sellwood Type 21

PDC 12358 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 16.12g (PDC 12358)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Dated 188 ΗΠΡ (BC 125-BC 124)
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; monogram [~] in field left; in exergue, Greek letters ΗΠΡ; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Note: Reverse double struck
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.1 [3 in db]
- Triton V (Jan 2002), lot 1581 (this coin)
PDC 12360 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 16.02g (PDC 12360)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Dated 188 ΗΠΡ (BC 125-BC 124)
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right, below arm Greek letter Θ; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; monogram [~] in field left; in exergue, Greek letters ΗΠΡ; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.2 [13 in db]
- Triton V (Jan 2002), lot 1583 (this coin)
PDC 12361 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 16.13g (PDC 12361)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Dated 188 ΗΠΡ (BC 125-BC 124)
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right, below arm Greek letter Θ; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; monogram [~] in field left; in exergue, Greek letters ΗΠΡ where Η is cut over Π; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.2 variant (Η cut over Π) [1 in db]
- Triton V (Jan 2002), lot 1584 (this coin)
PDC 12366 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 16.30g (PDC 12366)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Dated 188 ΗΠΡ (BC 125-BC 124)
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right, below arm Greek letters ΘΕ; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; monogram [~] in field left; in exergue, Greek letters ΗΠΡ; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.3 [36 in db]
- Triton V (Jan 2002), lot 1589 (this coin)
PDC 12368 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 15.80g (PDC 12368)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Dated 188 ΗΠΡ (BC 125-BC 124)
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right, below arm Greek letters ΘΕ; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; monogram [~] in field left; in exergue, Greek letters ΗΠΡ where Η is cut over Π; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.3 variant (Η cut over Π) [3 in db]
- Triton V (Jan 2002), lot 1591 (this coin)
PDC 3748 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 15.300g 33mm 1h (PDC 3748)
Mint: Seleucia
Dated 188 ΗΠΡ (BC 127-BC 124)
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right, in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; in field left, Greek letters ΘΕ above monogram [~]; in exergue, Greek letters ΗΠΡ; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Previous collection: Petrowicz coll.
Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1967.152.704
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 21.3 variant (ΘΕ in field left above monogram) [5 in db]
PDC 12370 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 16.01g (PDC 12370)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; in exergue, two monograms ([~] and [~]); no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.4 [5 in db]
- Triton V (Jan 2002), lot 1593 (this coin)
PDC 31011 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 15.99g (PDC 31011)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; in field left, horse head left; in exergue, two monograms ([~] and [~]); no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Photo by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles
- Sellwood 21.4 variant (horse head left in field left) [28 in db]
- Goldberg Coins Auction 32, Pre-Long Beach Auction 19-21 Sep 2005, Lot 3879 (this coin)
- Le Rider, Suse sous les Séleucides et les Parthes (1965), pl.LXXI, 8
- Shore not listed
PDC 5655 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 15.96g (PDC 5655)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right, below arm holding Nike a horse head right; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; in exergue, two monograms ([~] and [~]); no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Note: unique example?
Photo by Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 21.4 variant (horse head right below Nike) [1 in db]
- CNG 55 (Sep 2000), lot 751 (this coin)
- Le Rider, Suse sous les Séleucides et les Parthes (1965), pl.LXXI, 6 variant (placement of horse's head)
- Shore not listed
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 14.61g 28x31mm 12h (PDC 53731)
Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular reel and pellet border
Rev: Demeter enthroned left, in extended right hand holds Nike, who crowns her to right; in left hand, cornucopia with fruits; nereid supporting throne; in exergue, two monograms ([~] and variant [~]); no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
Provenance: 1873/3
Current collection: Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, 18208587
- Sellwood 21.4 variant (monogram) [1 in db]
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AE Chalkous (PDC 28003)
Mint: Susa
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: head of Herakles right; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
- Sellwood 21.5 [0 in db]
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AE Chalkous (PDC 28004)
Mint: Susa
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: Nike standing left; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
- Sellwood 21.6 [0 in db]
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AE Chalkous (PDC 28005)
Mint: Susa
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: tripod; circular border of pellets; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
- Sellwood 21.7 [2 in db]
- Sellwood ICP (1980), type 21.7 (this coin)
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AE Chalkous (PDC 28006)
Mint: Susa
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: goddess enthroned left; no border; two-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
- Sellwood 21.8 [0 in db]
PDC 9597 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AE Chalkous 3.15g 12h (PDC 9597)
Mint: Susa
Obv: bearded bust right wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: a trophy; border(?); three-line inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ [Μ]ΕΓΑΛΟΥ (ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ)
Note: Other bronzes from the Susa mint (S21.5-S21.8) have a two-line inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ. This coin has ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ before trophy, ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ and traces of a third line ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ behind. Petrowicz (1904) also records a three-line inscription.
Previous collection: Petrowicz
Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904)
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 21.9 [1 in db]
- Samm. Petrowicz p.187, 2; pl.XXV-2 (Arsaces I of Armenia) (this coin)
- Le Rider, Suse sous les Séleucides et les Parthes (1965), p.18, 3; pl.LXXIV, 27 (this coin)

Sellwood Type 22

Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm (PDC 47619)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
- Sellwood 22.1 [0 in db]
PDC 13081 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.05g (PDC 13081)
Mint: Seleucia?
Dated 125 ΕΚΡ [Arsacid era] (BC 124-BC 123)
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; behind bust, monogram [~~]; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; in exergue ΕΚΡ (= Parthian era year 125); no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
Note: acceptance of ΕΚΡ as a Parthian era date is controversial
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 22.2 [6 in db]
- Peus 371, Lot 248 (this coin)
- Elsen 63, lot 1240 (this coin)
- Peus 363, lot 5120 (this coin)
- Shore 63
PDC 46931 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 4.110g 20mm 11h (PDC 46931)
Mint: Ecbatana
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; square four-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ
Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1944.100.82118
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 22.3 [2 in db]
Click here to help add this image Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm (PDC 27997)
Mint: Margiane
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; behind bust, Greek letters ΜΑΡ; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
- Sellwood 22.4 [0 in db]
PDC 10505 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.83g (PDC 10505)
Mint: Margiane
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; before bust, monogram [~~], behind Greek letters ΜΑΡ; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 22.4 variant (obv monogram) [3 in db]
- Peus 368, Lot 343 (this coin)
- Shore 064
PDC 31689 Artabanus I (127-124 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.66g (PDC 31689)
Mint?
Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair arranged in concentric waves; circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on omphalos, holding bow in right hand; no border; four-line blundered Greek inscription
Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 22 type variant (Eastern imitation?) [1 in db]
- Peus 384 (1 Nov 2005), Lot 375 (this coin)
- Shore 65

This page last updated 13 Mar 2021

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