King of Media Atropatene and an Arsacid on his mother's side. He was selected to replace Vonones I, whose Roman lifestyle did not appeal to Parthian nobles. His attempts to wrest the throne were at first defeated -- as one competing issue of Vonones' coins attests -- but he eventually emerged victorious. During his reign he sent a letter to Susa which was inscribed on marble, and is now preserved at the Louvre. See the genealogy chart.
See the article, "Identifying Look-alike Parthian Drachms : Differentiating the Drachms of Artabanus II (c. A.D. 10 - 38), Gotarzes II (c. A.D. 40 - 51) and Artabanus III (c. A.D. 80 - 90)."
Click here to view the inscriptions on this king's coins.
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:
See the fourrée tetradrachm attributed to Artabanus II.
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)Billon tetradrachm, 14.25 g Mint/ Seleucia, date unreadable Obv/ bust left with long beard wearing diadem and spiral torque with no visible end; four formal rows of curls with no ear or earring visible, hair above diadem as ringlets; no wart; circular border of dots Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne, extending right hand; to his right, Tyche stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding cornucopia in left; above her arm, Greek letters [ΒΚΤ] (vertical); in exergue, Greek letters (?); seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚ[ΟΥ] / [ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ] / [Ε]ΠΙΦΑΝ[ΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ], the date above arm is present but unreadable and the exergue date is off flan; no border Photo/ by permission Henri Delger - Sellwood 61.1 variant (year ΒΚΤ) - BMC Parthia cf. p.146, 1-3 and plate XXV, 1 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)Billon tetradrachm, 14.12 g Mint/ Seleucia, month August Obv/ bust left with long beard wearing diadem and spiral torque with no visible end; four formal rows of curls with no ear or earring visible, hair above diadem as ringlets; no wart; circular border of dots Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne, extending right hand; to his right, Tyche stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding cornucopia in left; above her arm, Greek letters ΓΟΡ (vertical); in exergue, Greek letters (?); seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, but the year date in exergue is off flan Photo/ by permission Malter Galleries - Sellwood 61.1 variant (year ΒΚΤ) - BMC Parthia cf. p.146, 1-3 and plate XXV, 1 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)Billon tetradrachm, 12.48 g Mint/ Seleucia, A.D. 12 Obv/ bust left with long beard wearing diadem and spiral torque with no visible end; hair in two rows of flowing waves with ear and earring visible, hair above diadem as ringlets; no wart; circular border of dots Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne, extending right hand; to his right, Tyche stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding cornucopia in left; above her arm, Greek letters ΓΟΡ (vertical); in exergue, Greek letters ΕΤΟΥΣ ΓΚ[Τ]; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border Photo/ of the original Petrowicz plaster cast by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 61.2 - BMC Parthia p.149,28 - Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna 35817 (this coin) - Samm. Petrowicz pl. XVI-4 (this coin) |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.7 g, 29 mm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Additional images/ [study image obv] Obv/ bearded bust of king left, wearing diadem, diadem ends as three lines, long hair with no earring or ear visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer seated right on throne wearing kyrbasia and cloak; in right hand, bow, below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription Sellwood ii Location/ V. Kucherov collection Photo/ E. Rtveladze, The Ancient Coins of Central Asia (1987) - Sellwood 61.7 - Rtveladze 16 (this coin) |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.69 g Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bearded bust of king left, wearing diadem, diadem ends as three lines, long hair with no earring or ear visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer seated right on throne wearing kyrbasia and cloak; in right hand, bow, below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription Sellwood ii Photo/ by permission Henri Delger - Sellwood 61.7 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bearded bust of king left, wearing diadem, diadem ends as three lines, long hair with no earring or ear visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer seated right on throne wearing kyrbasia and cloak; in right hand, bow, below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription Sellwood ii Photo/ by permission Dan Case - Sellwood 61.7 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AE 13 mm, 1.69 gm, die axis = 11h Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left Rev/ amphora(?) Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 61.12 variant - Shore 569 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Tetradrachm, 12.58 g Mint/ Seleucia, May, A.D. 23 Obv/ bare-headed bust left with long beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and four pendants, hair in three distinct rows; border of dots; in front, year ΔΛΤ Rev/ king enthroned left receiving palm from Tyche holding scepter; between them kneeling man (Vonones?) offering diadem; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ. In exergue ΔΑΙΣΙΟΥ Photo/ by permission Henri Delger - Sellwood 62.3 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR (debased) Drachm Mint/ Susa, June, A.D. 24 Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three pendants, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ king enthroned left, receiving diadem from kneeling man (Vonones?), year date above ΤΛΕ; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΝΙΚΙΦΟΡΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, legend on left read from outside. In exergue, ΠΑΝΗΜ Photo/ by permission of Henri Delger, from collection of Sadollah Valavi - Sellwood 62.8 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AE (debased), a copper "drachm" Mint/ Margiane Obv/ bust left with long square cut beard wearing diadem and spiral torque with no visible end; medium-length straight hair with earring visible, no wart; in front and behind, Nike flying with diadem; border (?) Rev/ beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on (?), holding bow in right hand; below bow, Greek letter Π; three-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΒΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΝ] / ΑΡΤΑ legend on right read from outside; no border Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 62.12 - CNG E-Auction 90 (26 May 2004), lot 47 (this coin) - BMC Parthia, p.138, 15 (Phraataces) - Shore, not listed |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Additional images/ [large obv & rev] Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ legend on left read from outside Photo/ by permission Smithsonian Institution, National Numismatic Collection - Sellwood 63.6 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38) Modern ForgeryClick on the coin image at left to see a Sellwood type 63 silver drachm forgery |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.72 g Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, legend on left read from outside Note/ reverse overstrike Photo/ by permission Henri Delger, Old Roman Coins for Special Collectors - Sellwood 63.6 - Shore 341 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.48 g, 20 mm, die axis = 12h Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, legend on left read from outside Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 63.6 - Shore 341 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 18x20 mm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Additional images/ [large obv & rev] Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟ[Υ] / [ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ] ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / [Ε]ΠΙΦΑΝΟΥ [ΦΙΛΕ]ΛΛΗΝ[ΟΣ], legend on left read from outside Photo/ by permission David Garstang - Sellwood 63.6 variant (legend) |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, legend on left read from outside Photo/ by permission - Sellwood 63.6 - Shore 341 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.37 g, 20 mm, die axis = 1h Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, earring visible Rev/ archer seated right on throne holding bow. Somewhat blundered Greek legend; below bow monogram Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 63.6 - Shore 341 variant |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.6 g, 20x22 mm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, earring visible Rev/ archer seated right on throne holding bow. Somewhat blundered Greek legend; below bow monogram Photo/ by permission Teresa Darling, WCNC - Sellwood 63.6 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm, 3.87 g, 20 mm, die axis = 11h Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, earring visible Rev/ archer seated right on throne holding bow; somewhat blundered Greek legend with extra line on inside of bottom part of legend (see note); below bow monogram 26 Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia Note/ sometimes double- or multi-striking of coins can create difficulties. In Fred Shore's Parthian Coins & History, there are several instances of misidentification of coins as a result of double-striking. These are Shore 344 (this coin) and 345. The extra lines of legend on the reverses of these coins are simply remnants of the under-type which, in the case of this coin, have been slightly mutilated giving the impression that there is what Shore considers to be ΟΠΞΛΥ on the inside of bottom part of legend. These are not variants of the main type, only a bad strike of a known subtype. - Sellwood 63.6, but double-struck legend on reverse - Shore 344 (this coin) |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, earring visible Rev/ archer seated right on throne holding bow; somewhat blundered Greek legend; extra line on inside of bottom part of legend; below bow monogram 26, legend not like Sellwood 63 ii or iii Photo/ by permission Note/ this is another example where double-striking of coins has created a difficulty. Here is a very clear example of a double-strike creating extra lines of legend on the reverse; on this coin the remnants of the under-type have been slightly mutilated giving the impression that there is a monogram above the bow. - Sellwood 63.6, but double-struck on reverse |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ legend on left read from outside Photo/ by permission Fred W. Haumann - Sellwood 63.6 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard, wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, hair almost straight, earring visible; border of dots Rev/ beardless archer, seated right on throne; in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26; Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ / [Ε]ΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ [Φ]ΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ legend on left read from outside Photo/ by permission - Sellwood 63.6 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AR Drachm Mint/ Rhagae, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with medium square cut beard wearing diadem with loop at the top and three ends, earring visible, hair almost straight Rev/ archer seated right on throne holding bow; somewhat blundered Greek legend; monogram 29 below bow Photo/ by permission Elena Stoyanov - Sellwood 63.7 |
 Artabanus II
(c. A.D. 10 - 38)AE 10 mm, 1.21 gm, die axis = 12h(?) Mint/ Ecbatana, undated Obv/ bare-headed bust left with straight beard and hair, wearing diadem Rev/ amphora(?) Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 63.28? variant - Shore 582 |
This page last updated 13 Mar 2021
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