Identifying Look-alike Parthian Drachms

The drachms of Pacorus II on which he is wearing a diadem are differentiated by presence or absence of a beard. Where present, the beard is very short. The two groups can be clearly discerned on these example photos:

No beard	Light beard

Group I: No beard
Group II: Light beard

Group I: The No-beard Drachms of
Pacorus II (c. A.D. 78 - 105)

The drachms of Pacorus II (type 73) always have a youthful portrait with no beard.

Note: Beardless portraits are unusual on Parthian issues. The beard is missing only on the earliest coins of Arsaces I, Arsaces II and Mithradates I, and on the coins of Pacorus I (c. 39 B.C.).

Group II: The Lightly bearded Drachms of
Pacorus II (c. A.D. 78 - 105)

The drachms of Pacorus II (type 75) always have a portrait with a short or light beard.

This page last updated 23 Feb 2021