Introduction
Kings of Elymais (index)
Kamnaskirid Dynasty (c. 150 B.C. - ca. late first century A.D.)
"Arsacid" Dynasty (c. A.D. 50 - 200)
Late Elymean Kings (early third century A.D.)
References
Very little is known about the history of Elymais, a quasi-independent kingdom once located in the foothills of the Zagros mountains at the head of the Persian Gulf between Babylonia and Persis in the southwestern part of present-day Iran. Susa was its capital and major trade center. After a short period of independence under Kamnaskires I, following the battle of Apamea in 188 B.C., Elymais was conquered by the Parthians under Mithradates I (c. 171 - 138 B.C.). During the internal disruption following the death of Mithradates II (c. 123 - 88 B.C.), Kamnaskires II was able to restore a measure of Elymean independence, and his dynasty was to endure until about A.D. 100, when it was replaced by an "Arsacid" dynasty, or at least one which used Parthian names. With the advent of the Sasanian empire in Persia, Elymais finally lost it's independence to Ardashir I in A.D. 227.
The early coinage was of Seleucid style tetradrachms in good silver followed fairly soon by debased tetradrachms drachms of increasingly eastern style using Pahlavi for the inscriptions. Elymean coinage continued down to the overthrow of the Parthian empire by the Sasanians.
Elymais struck coins from ca. 150 B.C. until their defeat by the Sasanians in A.D. 227. Most coins show an anchor, perhaps recalling their association with the Seleucid Empire, and the more ancient star-in-crescent symbol of the Achaemenids.
Susa mint (Alram 429-430) Kamnaskires I Megas Sôter (c. 147 - 145 B.C.)AR Tetradrachm Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed head right Rev/ Zeus (Bel) seated 3/4 left on throne; four-line legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΚΑΜΝΙΣΕΙΡΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ - Alram 429 - Le Rider, Revue Numismatique 1969, 10 - Fischer, Chiron 1971, 3 |
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Kamnaskires I Megas Sôter (c. 147 - 145 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed head right Rev/ Apollo seated 3/4 left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow; four-line legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΚΑΜΝΙΣΕΙΡΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ - Alram 430 - Le Rider, Revue Numismatique 1969, 11 - Fischer, Chiron 1971, 2a |
Susa mint (Alram 431-444) Kamnaskires II Nikephoros (c. 145 - 139/8 B.C.)AE Tetradrachm, 16.45 g Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed head right; EA monogram behind Rev/ Apollo seated 3/4 left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow; three-line legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΜΝΙΣΙΡΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΣ Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group, CNG 55, Lot 779 - Alram 431 - BMC Arabia LII, 6 - Mörkholm EHC 642 - Le Rider 1965, 85 - Fischer, Chiron 1971, 1c |
 Kamnaskires II Nikephoros (c. 145 - 139/8 B.C.)AR Tetradrachm 16.57g. Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed head right; EA monogram behind Rev/ Apollo seated 3/4 left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow; three-line legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΜΝΙΣΙΡΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΣ Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group, - Triton VII (Jan 2004) lot 518 (this coin) - Alram 431 - BMC Arabia pl. LIII, 6 - de Morgan p.466, 1 - Le Rider Suse pl. VII, D (same dies) - Morkholm, EHC (1991) 642 |
Susa mint (Alram 445-446) Okkonapses (c. 139/8 B.C.) (Usurper in Susa?) AR Tetradrachm Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed head right; EA monogram behind Rev/ Apollo seated 3/4 left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow; three-line legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΟΚΚΑΝΑΨΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Note/ struck at Susa in the brief period between the reigns of the Seleucid king Demetrius II and Mithradates I of Parthia (c. 145 B.C. - 139 or 138 B.C.). - Alram 445 - Auctiones 13 (1983), 421 (this coin) - Boston MFA, 1984.580 (this coin) - Münzen und Medaillen 66 (Oct 1984), lot 302 (this coin) - Le Rider, "Deux nouveaux tétradrachmes frappés à Suse", Revue Numismatique, 1978, 33, fig. 1 (this coin) |
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Okkonapses (c. 139/8 B.C.) (Usurper in Susa?) AE 1/2 unit Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed and radiate head right Rev/ Apollo seated 3/4 left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ [?]ΑΝΑΨΟΥ Note/ 3 examples in BN Paris - Alram 446 - Le Rider 1965, 65 |
Susa mint (Alram 447-453) Tigraios (137-133 B.C.) Tetradrachm, 16.14 g Mint/ Susa Obv/ diademed head; in field, monogram Rev/ Apollo with bow and arrow seated on omphalos Note/ struck at Susa in the brief period between the reigns of the Seleucid king Demetrius II and Mithradates I of Parthia (c. 145 B.C. - 139 or 138 B.C.). Photo/ by permission Dr. Busso Peus Nachf - Alram 447 (this coin) - BMC Arabia not listed - de Morgan not listed - Le Rider 1978, 2 - Peus 363, lot 5073 (this coin) |
Susa mint (Alram not listed) Darius (before c. 129 B.C.) Tetradrachm, 16.46 g Mint/ Susa Obv/ head right with diadem Rev/ Apollo with arrow and bow seated left on omphalos, legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΑΡΕΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΥ ΝΑΝΑΙΕΝΩ(Ν) Note/ previously unpublished tetradrachm where the last word of the reverse inscription ΝΑΝΑΙΕΝΩ(Ν) indicates Susa with its famous sanctuary of Artemis-Nanaia (cfr. Le Rider, Suse p. 295 ff.). Consequently, the timing of the Arsacid conquest of Susa will have to be reinterpreted Photo/ by permission Dr. Busso Peus Nachf - Alram not listed - Peus 368, Lot 330 (this coin) |
Susa mint (Alram 454-457) Kamnaskires II and Queen Anzaze (82/1 - 76/5 B.C.)AR Tetradrachm, 15.96 g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ conjoined busts left of Kamnaskires and Queen Anzaze; anchor symbol behind Rev/ Zeus seated left, holding scepter and Nike, who crowns him; monogram below his arm Note/ this example is unusual in that it has a monogram in place of the usual small inscription under Zeus' arm Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group - Alram 454 variant - CNG 54, Lot 858 (this coin) |
Susa mint (Alram 458-462). Very rare coins. Kamnaskires IV (A.D. 74/3 - 56/5 B.C.)AR Tetradrachm 16.08 g. Obv/ Diademed bust left; anchor symbol behind Rev/ Zeus seated left, holding scepter and Nike, who crowns him; monogram in inner left field, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΜΝΑΣΚΙΡΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΕΓ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΣ ΚΑΜΝΑΙΣ, [...]Σ (date) in exergue Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group Triton VII, lot 523 - Alram 458 - BMC Arabia cf. pl. LIII, 8 (Kamnaskires III) = de Morgan pg. 467, 3 (Kamnaskires II) - de Morgan p.467, 3 (Kamnaskires II) - Le Rider Suse cf. pl. LXXII, 13 - Numismatic Fine Arts 25 (29 November 1990), lot 249 (this coin) - Schweizerische Kreditanstalt 3 (19 April 1985), lot 286 |
Susa mint (Alram 463-466) Kamnaskires V (A.D. 58 - 106)AR Hemidrachm Mint/ unknown, undated Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group, CNG 55, Lot 773c |
 Kamnaskires V (A.D. 58 - 106)AR Drachm Mint/ unknown, undated Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group, CNG 55, Lot 773e |
 Kamnaskires V (A.D. 58 - 106)AR Tetradrachm, 15.37g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bust left, star and anchor Rev/diademed bust of Kamnaskires VI(?) left, eagle above, monogram below chin Photo/ by permission Guy Clark's Ancient Coins and Antiquities, EC106 |
 Kamnaskires V (A.D. 58 - 106)AR Drachm, 16 mm, 3.9 g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust of Kamnaskires left Rev/ uncertain male bust left surrounded by blundered Greek legends Photo/ by permission Calgary Coin & Antique Gallery - Sear GIC 5884 |
 Kamnaskires V (A.D. 58 - 106) AR Drachm, 16 mm, 3.9 g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust of Kamnaskires left Rev/ uncertain male bust left surrounded by blundered Greek legends Photo/ by permission Calgary Coin & Antique Gallery - Sear GIC 5884 |
Late Kamnaskires V successors which require further attribution. Characteristics: large silver or bronze tetradrachms and drachms
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 Kamnaskires "B" ? (c. late first cent. A.D.)Billon Tetradrachm, 15.35 g Mint/unknown, undated Obv/ Bust diademed l. with long pointed beard and bushy back hair; behind, anchor symbol and star crescent to l., Y between two other letters (?) Rev/ Jumbled remains of bust and inscription BM 31 pl. XXXIX, 11 and p. CLXXXIX, pl. LIII, 12 (Oman coll.) Note/ Very rare issue, unknown until Sir Charles Oman acquired two specimens and presented one of them to the BM in 1918. The distinguishing marks of the issue are the king's bushy back hair, the absence of hair on the forehead, and the occurrence of letters or a symbol before the portrait. de Morgan Elymais, p. 33, 19 adopts G. F. Hill's classification and cited the BM coin, but the piece he illustrates from his own collection in pl. II, 5 is actually from the much commoner issue C, like his pl. II, 1-4. Photo/ by permission Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. |
 "Kamnaskires C" (c. late first cent. A.D.)Billon Tetradrachm, 15.60g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust diademed left with long pointed beard; behind, anchor symbol and star within crescent Rev/ jumbled remains of bust with short beard and inscription Photo/ by permission Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Lot 178 - BMC 14 |
 "Kamnaskires C" (c. late first cent. A.D.) Billon Tetradrachm, 15.70g Obv/ bust diademed left with long pointed beard; behind, anchor symbol and star within crescent Rev/ jumbled remains of bust with short beard and inscription Photo/ by permission Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Lot 177 - BMC 14 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)Billon Tetradrachm, 15.55 g on a large flan Mint/unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bearded bust left with trident or anchor behind with star and crescent. Rev/ stylized head left with legends around on four sides in corrupt Greek. The rev head could be Jupiter, Herakles or an unknown successor to Kamnaskires. Note/ these coins weigh much the same as contemporary Parthian tetradrachms being struck in Mesopotamia, and they should be termed such rather than double octobols, as de Morgan calls it Photo/eBay Item #309588471 by permission Youssef Mishriki - de Morgan Manuel de Numismatique Orientale Fig 233 variant (Kamnaskires "C", star without crescent) - cf. Mitchiner ACW 703-705 variant - cf. BMC pl. XXXIX, 3 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)AE Tetradrachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ Rev/ Prov/ by permission Smithsonian Institution, National Numismatic Collection |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)Fourrées AE Tetradrachm, 15.3 g, 29x25 mm Mint/ unknown, c. 100 AD Obv/ bust left with pointed beard - Anchor, crescent & star Rev/ crude head left with short beard - legend (?) around Note/ originally silver plated, this tetradrachm has a very low silver content Photo/ by permission Doug Smith's Ancient Greek and Roman Coins - Sear GIC 5888 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)Billon Tetradrachm, 15.68 g Mint/unknown, undated Obv/ bust of king left, star , crescent and trident behind Rev/ Indistinct figure within square legend Photo/ by permission Wayne G. Sayles - Mitchiner, ACW 706 |
![[Kamnaskires VI]](coins/pdc_283.jpg) Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)AE Tetradrachm, 14.67 g, 28 mm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing earring, torque (?) and diademed tiara. Star within crescent above anchor with two bars, to right Rev/ traces of striking. Partial blundered Greek legend Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5889 - Mitchiner ACW 706 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)AE Drachm, 3.88g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ Bust left; to right, anchor with star and crescent above, Rx-Bearded bust left (indistinct) in square formed by blundered Greek legend Rev/ The BM specimens have reverse "wholly degraded into collection of dashes or smoothed away" Photo/ by permission Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. - Sear GIC 5888 (tetradrachm) - BM 19-30 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)AE Tetradrachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bust of King l.; star and crescent above anchor in field to r. Rev/ degenerated head. within inscription Prov/ - Alram pl. 15, NB 1 - Sear GIC 5888-5889 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)AE Tetradrachm, approx. 1" by 7/8" Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust of king left with long beard and wide fringe of hair below diadem; behind, star within crescent above anchor Rev/ series of dashes Photo/ eBay auction #134309078 (bauerbrain) - Alram pl. 15, NB 1 |
 Kamnaskires VI (?) (c. late first cent. A.D.)AE Tetradrachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left with pointed beard - Anchor, crescent & star Rev/ crude head left with short beard - legend (?) around Photo/ by permission Alex Filer (eBay auction #130535103) - Alram pl. 15, NB 1 |
Characteristics: Obv/ diademed bust left wearing with inscription URUD, Rev/ legend around diademed bust left. Susa mint (Alram pl. 15, NB 3 as a Kamnaskires successor)These are rare bronze or billon tetradrachms; two have been published in Augé C., "Quelques monnaies d'Elymaïde," Bulletin de la Société Française de Numismatique, November 1976; and Renaud, N., "Un nouveau souverain d'Elymaïde," Bulletin de la Société Française de Numismatique, January 1999 pp. 1-5. Since those publications, several have been sold at auction.While their style is very different, they are probably minted by the same king. On both obverses, there is a fragment of Aramaic legend, either UR. or .UD The only thing that seems to be sure is that they were issued in the middle of first century either during reigns of latest Kamnaskires (style of bust and reverse) or during the transition between Kamnaskirid and "Orodes" dynasties. As this type precedes any previous known design of Orodes I, but bears his name, it could be taken for a very early transitional issue. The alternative chosen here is to name this ruler Orodes I and reclassify all coins bearing a Parthian tiara as issues of Orodes II, making the traditional second Orodes become Orodes III. Links in Parthian coinage during the reign of Orodes II of Parthia (57-38 BC), to increased control in Elymais. This is clearly demonstrated by the presence of the "anchor" symbol on certain Parthian Drachm reverses. The most likely explanation is that these coins were minted under the authority of Orodes II of Parthia, or one of his sons, who reintroduced direct Arsacid rule in Elymais. This explains the sudden appearance of Arsacid names into the Elymais and the change in regal iconography. This hypothesis is at sharp odds with the previous explanation of the dates and chronology of the Elymais, which places Orodes I circa 50-100 AD. The existence of this sort of a transitional issue between the Kamnaskirid dynasty and the Arsacid dynasty in Elymais weakens the ideological distinction made previously by showing a drastic break in the stylistic continuum. [sale notes, CNG 60, lot 1041] |
 Orodes I (ca 57-38 BC or later?)AE Tetradrachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bust left, with long beard; star within crescent above anchor with one bar, before king, Aramaic legend, UR. Rev/ Blundered legend around diademed bust left Photo/ by permission Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung - cf. Alram, pl. 15, NB 3 (Kamnaskires successor) - cf. AugéBSFN (1976) - Gorny Sale 96 (7 Jun 1999), lot 252 (this coin) - cf. Renaud (1999) pp. 1-5 |
 Orodes I (ca 57-38 BC or later?)AE Tetradrachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bust left, with long beard; star within crescent above anchor with one bar, before king, Aramaic legend, .UD Photo/ by permission Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung - cf. Alram, pl. 15, NB 3 (Kamnaskires successor) - cf. AugéBSFN (1976) - Gorny Sale 92 (7 Nov 1998), lot 288 (this coin) - cf. Renaud ( 1999) pp. 1-5 |
 Orodes I (ca 57-38 BC or later?)Billon Tetradrachm, 15.57 g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bust left, with long beard; star within crescent above anchor with one bar, before king, Aramaic legend Rev/ Blundered legend around diademed bust left Note/ Part of (or related to) a very rare issue first obtained by the BM in 1918. Sir Charles Oman acquired two specimens and presented one to the BM, keeping the piece with the partial legend or additional symbols, which is depicted in the supplementary plates (LIII, 12). That issue is distinguished from its earlier prototypes by the clear articulation of the shoulder guards on the cuirass, the lack of forelocks before the face, and the bushy projection of hair at the back of the head. Some subtle distinctions indicate a date of issue for this coin slightly earlier than that of the BMC specimen: the torques are simpler and end in front rather than back, and the bust is more squared off and has a naturalistic eye gazing to the side. More consistent with later issues, the star within the crescent has degraded to being little more than a pellet, as on the later issues of Orodes I. The inscription on the BMC coin is not at all clear, but appears different. The inscription on this coin clearly bears the name of Orodes, lacking only the later title "Malk" or "Malka." Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group - cf. Alram, pl. 15, NB 3 (Kamnaskires successor) - Bell, "New Inscription Alters Elymais Type Chronology," in The Celator, (April 2002), p. 38 (this coin) - cf. BMC Arabia, p. clxxxix (note), pl. LIII, 12 - CNG 60, lot 1041 (this coin) |
 Orodes I (ca 57-38 BC or later?)AE Tetradrachm, 15.40 g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed bust left, with long beard; star within crescent above anchor with one bar, before king, Aramaic legend Rev/ Blundered legend around diademed bust left Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group - cf. Alram, pl. 15, NB 3 (Kamnaskires successor) - cf. BMC Arabia, p. clxxxix (note), pl. LIII, 12 - CNG 63, lot 884 (this coin) - cf. de Morgan, pl. 36, 4 ('Kamnaskires D') |
Characteristics: Obv/ Bust left with tiara decorated with anchor, Rev/ dashes (Alram 467-470 as Orodes I)![[Orodes I]](coins/pdc_736.jpg) Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 3.43 g, 13 x 14 mm, axis 11h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar Rev/ bust of Artemis right; partial Greek (?) legend Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5892 - Dobbins Orodes I A/1 |
 Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 2.6g, 14 mm Mint/ unknown, early 2nd Cent. A.D. Additional images/ comparison image of Orodes II, Phraates and Orodes III Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar Rev/ Artemis bust right; Greek legend = 'King Orodes' Photo/ by permission Doug Smith's Ancient Greek and Roman Coins - Sear GIC 5892 |
![[Orodes I]](coins/pdc_282.jpg) Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 3.52 g, 13 mm, axis 11h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar Rev/ bust of Artemis, right. Partial Greek (?) legend Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5892 - Dobbins Orodes I A/1 |
![[Orodes I]](coins/pdc_737.jpg) Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 3.85 g, 15 x 13 mm, axis 12h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard (anchor designs hidden in beard) and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar Rev/ field filled with dashes; anchor Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5895 var. - Dobbins Orodes I A/4v. |
![[Orodes I]](coins/pdc_746.jpg) Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 2.40 g, 15 x 13 mm, axis 11h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar Rev/ field filled with dashes; anchor Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5895 var. - Dobbins Orodes I A/4v. |
![[Orodes I]](coins/pdc_738.jpg) Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 3.43 g, 15 mm, axis 12h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar solid border around Rev/ field filled with dashes; large anchor Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5895 var. - Dobbins Orodes I A/4v. |
 Orodes II (c. A.D. 100?)AE Drachm, 15 mm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, with long beard and wearing diademed tiara ornamented with anchor; to right, star within crescent above anchor with one bar Rev/ field filled with dashes; large anchor Photo/ by permission Quadriga Ancients |
King Phraates was son of Urud Malka (Orodes), who ruled around middle of the second century A.D.
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 Phraates (c. A.D. 150?) AE Drachm, 2.6g, 14x12 mm Mint/ unknown, mid 2nd Cent. A.D. Additional images/ comparison image of Orodes I, Phraates and Orodes III Obv/ bust left, anchor, crescent & star Rev/ dashes Photo/ by permission Doug Smith's Ancient Greek and Roman Coins - Sear GIC 5902 |
![[Phraates]](coins/pdc_740.jpg) Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 2.76 g, 15 x 13 mm, axis 1h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long beard wearing diademed tiara with two dotted crescents. Pellet within crescent above anchor with one bar, to right. Greek legend, left. Rev/ Artemis standing right; Greek legend Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5898 - Dobbins Phraates B/1 |
![[Phraates]](coins/pdc_741.jpg) Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 2.60 g, 13 x 14 mm, axis 1h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long beard wearing diademed tiara with two dotted crescents (?). Pellet within crescent above anchor with one bar, to right. Rev/ diadem; pellet within crescent to each side Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5901 - Dobbins Phraates B/2 |
![[Phraates]](coins/pdc_742.jpg) Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 3.57 g, 15 mm, axis 1h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long, straight beard wearing diademed tiara with two dotted crescents(?). Pellet within crescent above anchor with one bar, to right. Rev/ eagle facing; four crescents Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5900v. - Dobbins Phraates B/4 |
![[Phraates]](coins/pdc_284.jpg) Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 2.87 g, 13 x14 mm, axis 1h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long, straight beard wearing diademed tiara with two dotted crescents (?). Pellet within crescent above anchor with one bar, to right. Rev/ eagle facing; no crescents Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5900v. - Dobbins Phraates B/5v. |
 Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust left, star in crescent and trident Rev/ pattern of dashes Photo/ by permission Guy Clark's Ancient Coins and Antiquities - de Morgan 36 |
 Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ Bearded bust, facing. Trident to right, crescent and star above Rev/ Eagle, wings spread Photo/ by permission Sam Kazmi, NumisArt - de Morgan 37a |
 Phraates (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 2.87 g, 15 x 13 mm, axis 12h Obverse: Bust facing with long, straight beard wearing diademed tiara with two dotted crescents (?). Pellet within crescent above anchor with one bar, to right Rev/ eagle facing; no crescents Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5900 variant - Dobbins B/5 variant (Phraates) |
Characteristics: Obv/ Narrow bust facing wearing long beard and diademed tiara decorated with hooks on crest (Alram 477-478 as Orodes II)
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![[Orodes II]](coins/pdc_285.jpg) Orodes III (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 3.08 g, 15 mm, axis 1h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long beard wearing diademed tiara; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ radiate bust of Artemis right; Chaldeo-Pahlavi legend around Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Alram 478 (Orodes II) - Dobbins Orodes II A/1 - Sear GIC 5904 |
 Orodes III (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 3.82 g Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long beard wearing diademed tiara; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ radiate bust of Artemis right; Chaldeo-Pahlavi legend around Photo/ eBay Item #155330589, Pegasi Numismatics - Alram 478 (Orodes II) - de Morgan 44 |
 Orodes III (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm, 3.59 g, 15 mm, axis 1h Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long beard wearing diademed tiara; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ series of dashes Photo/ eBay auction #128155608 Pegasi Numismatics - Alram 478 variant (drachm) (Orodes II) - de Morgan 46 |
 Orodes III (c. A.D. 150?)AE Drachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bust facing with long beard wearing diademed tiara; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ series of dashes Photo/ eBay auction #52808709 paws1 - Alram 478 variant (drachm) (Orodes II) - Sear GIC 5905 |
Characteristics: Obv/ Bust facing wearing diadem; hair in bunches at sides (Alram 479-486 as Kamnaskires-Orodes III)
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 Kamnaskires-Orodes (c. A.D. 180?)AE Drachm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bearded bust facing wearing diadem; hair in bunches at sides; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ six dashes Photo/ by permission Karl Stube Timeless Treasures - 1965 Seaby Greek Coins, #2620 |
 Kamnaskires-Orodes (c. A.D. 180?)AE Drachm, 16 mm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ bearded bust facing wearing diadem; hair in bunches at sides; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ series of dashes across the field Photo/ by permission Atrader eBay auction #121349523 |
![[Kamnaskires Orodes III]](coins/pdc_286.jpg) Kamnaskires-Orodes (c. A.D. 180?)AE Drachm, 3.79 g, 15 mm, axis 12h (axis of dashes) Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ earded bust facing wearing diadem; hair in bunches at sides; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ field filled with dashes Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5910 - Mitchiner ACW 719 - Dobbins (as Kamnaskires-Orodes III) A/2 |
 Kamnaskires-Orodes (c. A.D. 180?)AE Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ dearded bust facing wearing diadem; hair in bunches at sides; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ field filled with dashes Photo/ by permission Sam Kazmi, NumisArt |
 Kamnaskires-Orodes (c. A.D. 180?)AE Drachm, 16 mm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ earded bust facing wearing diadem; hair in bunches at sides; to right, pellet within crescent above anchor with two bars Rev/ field filled with dashes Photo/ eBay auction #140652670 Gerard de Roo (callias) - Sear 5910 |
Characteristics: Obv/ Bust left, Rev/ Bust of Artemis. No legend. Same king as Kamnaskires-Orodes?
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 First indeterminate King (de Morgan's Orodes IV) (c. A.D. 200?)AE Drachm, 11-14 mm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ head of king left Rev/ helmeted bust of Artemis-Tyche left, anchor behind Photo/ by permission Patrick Passmans - Mitchiner ACW 720 - BMC XLII, 7-12 |
(Alram 488-489 as Orodes IV and Ulfan)
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Characteristics: Obv/ Bust left, Rev/ Bust of Artemis (Alram, not listed)
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Characteristics: Obv/ Bust left, Rev/ Artemis standing (Alram, not listed)
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![[Prince 'A']](coins/pdc_288.jpg) Second indeterminate king (de Morgan's Prince 'A') (c. A.D. 210?)AE Drachm, 1.52 g, 12 mm Mint/ unknown, undated Obv/ diademed, bearded bust left. Rev/ Artemis standing right with bow and arrow; more stylized than the coin above Photo/ by permission Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sear GIC 5919 - Mitchiner ACW 721 |
 Second indeterminate king (de Morgan's Prince 'A') (c. A.D. 210?)AE Drachm Elymais (Under Parthian Authority) AE Drachm (12 mm) Obv/ diademed, bearded bust left. Rev/ Artemis standing right with bow and arrow. Photo/ eBay Item #127947022 by permission Quadriga Ancients |
Characteristics: Obv/ Bust left, Rev/ Athena standing (Alram, not listed)
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Characteristics: Obv/ Bust left, Rev/ anchor (Alram xxx as yyy)
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Characteristics: Obv/ Bust facing, Rev/ crescent (Alram, not listed)
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Characteristics: bronze copies of Artabanus IV's drachms (Alram, not listed)
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The principle source for information on the coins of Elymais is Michael Alram (1986), Nomina Propria Iranica in Nummis, Materialgrundlagen zu den iranischen personennamen auf Antiken Münze. Also of use are Sear's Greek Coins and Greek Imperial Coins, de Morgan's Manuel de Numismatique Orientale, a large sale of Elymais coins in CNG 41 (March 1997) and an article in the August 1992 The Celator by Ed Dobbins, "Hoard Evidence Aids Attribution and Chronology of Arsacid Bronze Drachms of Elymais." Also: G. F. Hill, Catalogue of the Greek Coins of Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Persia, London, 1922 and C. Augé R. Curiel, and G. Le Rider, Terrasses sacrées de Bard-è Néchandeh et Masjid-i Soleiman. Les trouvailles monétaires. Mémoires de la Délégation Archéologique en Iran. Tome XLIV. Paris, 1979. Also, Augé C., "Quelques monnaies d'Elymaïde," Bulletin de la Société Française de Numismatique, November 1976; and Renaud, N., 1999, "Un nouveau souverain d'Elymaïde," Bulletin de la Société Française de Numismatique, January 1999 pp. 1-5; Bell, Benjamin R., "New Inscription Alters Elymais Type Chronology", The Celator, v. 16, no. 4 (Apr 2002), pp. 38-39, 50 and Bell, Benjamin R., "A New Model for Elymaean Royal Chronology", The Celator, v. 16, no. 5 (May 2002), pp. 34-39, 50, 59.
This page last updated 13 Mar 2021
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![[Phraates]](coins/pdc_739.jpg)
![[Orodes II]](coins/pdc_743.jpg)
![[Orodes IV]](coins/pdc_744.jpg)
![[Orodes IV]](coins/pdc_287.jpg)
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contact ![[Prince 'A']](coins/pdc_745.jpg)
