This king was the brother of Phraates II and the (adopted?) son of Mithradates I. See the genealogy chart.
Sinatruces (or Sinatruk) was brought to the throne by the Sacaraucae, at age 80, during a time of confusion in Parthia, for Tigranes II of Armenia had retaken Atropatene and Gordyene, and had made incursions almost as far west as Ecbatana, and took the title 'king of kings' which Parthian kings of that time did not hold according to their coins. This state of affairs lasted until the Roman general Lucullus took Nisibis in 68 B.C., diverting the attention of the Armenians away from Parthia to their east. But for the most part, Sinatruces appears to have been involved with the Armenians his full reign. It is believed that Sinatruces was an Arsacid prince, for little other reason can be found for placing him on the throne at his advanced age. His coins are found in Susa, as well as elsewhere, and indication that he recovered most of Iran, including Babylonia, for the Parthians. He was succeeded by his son Phraates III sometime between 70 and 68 B.C.
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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.
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Sellwood type 33 coins were originally attributed Sinatruces by Sellwood (1971) but revised to Gotarzes I by Sellwood (1980). Recent research shows the type likely does belong to Sinatruces.
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.910g 31mm 12h (PDC 4523) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1966.150.7 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 34.1 [1 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.79g (PDC 4749) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pointed and ending at seat level; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 34.2 [4 in db] - Peus 363, Lot 5140 (this coin) |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Obol 0.51g (PDC 39575) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T33i); circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Note: Only known example Previous collection: Robert Gonnella Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 34.2 variant (obol) [1 in db] - Peus 388 (1 Nov 2006), lot 375 (Gotarzes I) (this coin) - New York International Numismatic Convention 1996, lot 1556 (this coin) - Sammlung Gonnella: Münzen Der Arsakiden (2008), 158 (this coin) - Shore not listed |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.03g (PDC 23570) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Current collection: David Sellwood, 76 (Tray 10) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 34.3 [38 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.10g 12h (PDC 59719) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with three lines of pellets, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Previous collection: Todd A. Ballen Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 34.3 variant (tiara emblem) [1 in db] - Triton XIII (5 Jan 2010), lot 594 (this coin) |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.88g (PDC 24605) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34ii) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: rev overstrike Previous collection: Bellaria Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 34.4 [12 in db] - CNG 66 (19 May 2004), lot 777 (this coin) - BMC Parthia p.54, 90 variant (Phraates III?; tiara style) - Mitchiner ACW 544 variant (Phraates III; tiara style) - Peus 326 (1-3 Nov 1989), lot 372 (this coin) - Shore 146 (Sinatruces) |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.19g 20mm (PDC 7314) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34ii) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks erased; behind bust, anchor symbol erased; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Anchor and tiara pellets erased from obverse die Photo by Tom Cederlind - Sellwood 34.4 variant (anchor and crest erased; legend i) [4 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.11g 19mm (PDC 11781) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34ii) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol erased; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Anchor erased from obverse die Photo by Tom Cederlind - Sellwood 34.4 variant (anchor erased; legend i) [7 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 19947) Mint: Margiane Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne shown, incorrectly, with three legs, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pointed and ending at seat level; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ - Sellwood 34.5 [2 in db] - Sellwood ICP (1971), Plates, no. 34/5 (Phraates III) (this coin) |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 34762) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne shown, incorrectly, with three legs, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pointed and ending at seat level; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: REPORTED STOLEN JUNE 2006 Photo by Imperial Coins (Alfredo De La Fé) - Sellwood 34.5 (legend i) [2 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.16g 19mm 1h (PDC 31748) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 34.6 [8 in db] - CNG E-Auction 126 (9 Nov 2005), lot 108 (this coin) |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.67g 21x19mm (PDC 406) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys; pellets on crest and anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 34.7 [8 in db] - Shore 147 |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.89g 21mm 12h (PDC 34797) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i); fleur de lys modified to horn; pellets on crest and anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 34.7 variant (tiara modified to horn; pellets and anchor erased) [1 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 23016) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i); fleur de lys; pellets on crest and anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ [ΕΥ]ΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Obv. stags and anchor removed on coin, not die Photo by Michael Levitsky - Sellwood 34.8 [3 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 59101) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34ii); fleur de lys; pellets on crest and anchor symbol erased from die; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; empty cloak sleeve pellet ended and reaching well below seat; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Najaf Coins & Collectibles - Sellwood 34.8 variant (tiara ii) [1 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AE Dichalkous 2.49g 16mm (PDC 3621) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys, around crest with pairs of pellets on stalks; behind bust, anchor symbol; circular border of pellets Rev: Pegasus flying right (or prancing horse?); no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 34.9 [8 in db] - CNG Online Coin Shop, item 715406 (Mar 2000) (this coin) |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 47535) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys; circular border of pellets Rev: Artemis standing left holding bow; no border; [inscription?] - Sellwood 34.10 [0 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28077) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys; circular border of pellets Rev: head of bull facing three-quarters right; no border; [inscription?] - Sellwood 34.11 [0 in db] |
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Sinatruces (77-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28078) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T34i) decorated on side with fleur de lys; circular border of pellets Rev: radiate bust of Artemis facing; no border; [inscription?] - Sellwood 34.12 [0 in db] |
This page last updated 13 Mar 2021
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