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Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.)

ΤΙΡΙΔΑΤΗΣ

Sellwood's Tiridates is here named Tiridates I to differentiate him from Tiridates II (c. A.D. 35 - 36) who is not mentioned by Sellwood, and Tiridates III, subsequently identified by Sellwood.1 Also confusing is the parenthetical statement by Wilfred H. Schoff in Parthian Stations that "Tiridates (sometimes called Tiridates II) was set up by the Parthians in 32 B.C. against Phraates IV...". See the genealogy chart.

Tiridates was a usurper who challenged Phraates IV (c. 38 - 2 B.C.) for the Parthian kingship. He was temporarily successful, forcing Phraates to flee Parthia. Phraates regrouped his forces and re-invaded, and eventually forced Tiridates to seek refuge among the Romans. Tiridates took with him a hostage son of Phraates who Augustus later exchanged in 20 B.C. for the Roman legionary standards captured from the legions under Crassus at Carrhae in 53 B.C., Saxa in 40 B.C. and Marc Anthony in 36 B.C. Tiridates returned a few years later for another attempt, forcing Phraates to once again seek safety. It is during this period that his coins included the legend ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ, "friend of the Romans", dated March to May 26 B.C. (thus the terminus date of 26 B.C. for his reign, not 27 B.C. as given by Sellwood). But Tiridates was likely killed during the last of his several attempts to overthrow Phraates as his name disappears from the historical record after 25 B.C.

While all the tetradrachms below are attributed to Tiridates according to Sellwood, de Callataÿ's important 1994 die study2 has supplanted Sellwood and Shore by proving that, of the tetradrachms attributed by Sellwood to Tiridates, only types S55.7-9 are Tiridates. The remainder (S55.1-6 and S55.10-14) are Phraates IV. This also means all coins in Shore3 attributed to Tiridates are Phraates IV. However, this arrangement does not satisfactorily explain the absence of the royal wart from the tetradrachms of Phraates IV. The prominence of the wart on the other issues of Phraates IV (S50 through S54) leads us to wonder, if these 55.1-6 and 55.10-14 issues do belong to Phraates IV, why do they not have the wart?

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

In a very interesting analysis of dates on the S55.3-6 tetradrachms, de Callataÿ has suggested4 that there are five month dates that include ΔΑΙΣΙ. The first is May, then an single letter abbreviation for each of the following months June to September is prefixed as follows:

ΔΑΙΣΙ ΔΑΙΣΙΟΝ May
Π ΔΑΙΣΙ Π = ΠΑΝΗΜΟΝ June
Ο ΔΑΙΣΙ Ο = ΟΛΩΙΟΝ July
Γ ΔΑΙΣΙ Γ = ΓΟΡΠΙΑΙΟΝ August
Υ ΔΑΙΣΙ Υ = ΥΠΕΡΒΕΡΕΤΑΙΟΝ September

Coins with all these dates are included in the examples below.

_______________
Notes:
1. Sellwood. "The End of the Parthian Dynasty," Spink Numismatic Circular 98, 1990, p. 157
2. de Callataÿ, Les tétradrachmes d'OrodèsII et de Phraate IV (1994)
3. Shore. Parthian Coins and History (1993), coins 306-311.
4. de Callataÿ p. 29.


Coins Attributed to Tiridates 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 55

The following coins are attributed to Tiridates by Sellwood, but Phraates IV by de Callataÿ

January, 28 B.C.

No image availableTiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 15.06g, 28mm, 12h
Mint/ Seleucia, January, 28 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with pointed beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; three formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne, right hand extended; in front, Tyche stands left presenting wreath in right hand, and holding scepter in left; below throne, Greek letters ΔΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΠΕΡΙΤΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ none available
- Sellwood 55.1
- de Callataÿ not listed


May, 28 B.C.

PDC 6608Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 15.06g, 28mm, 12h
Mint/ Seleucia, May, 28 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with pointed beard wearing diadem and griffin-ended torque; no wart; three formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne, right hand extended; in front, Tyche stands left presenting wreath in right hand, and holding scepter in left; below throne, Greek letters ΔΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΔΙΣ (sic, read as ΔΑΙΣ); seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Royale, Brussels, Inv. II, 81864
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 55.1-2 variant (griffin-ended torque; month ΔΙΣ)
- A. Simonetta (1987), pl.13,6
- de Callataÿ 75 (Phraates IV) (this coin)


June, 28 B.C.

PDC 2968Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.73g
Mint/ Seleucia, June, 28 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with pointed beard wearing diadem and griffin-ended torque; no wart; three formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne, right hand extended; in front, Tyche stands left presenting wreath in right hand, and holding scepter in left; below throne, Greek letters ΔΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΠΑΝΗ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 55.1-2 variant (griffin-ended torque; month ΠΑΝΗ)
- CNG 36, 306 (this coin)
- Shore 306 (this coin)


March, 27 B.C.

PDC 17962Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.36g
Mint/ Seleucia, March, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΞΑΝΔΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 55.3
- de Callataÿ 76 (Phraates IV) (this coin)
- de Morgan, pl.XIV, 4
- Simonetta (1949), p.45, 4
- Peus 374 (Apr 2003), Lot 154 (this coin)
- Shore 307


April, 27 B.C.

PDC 16993Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 15.1g
Mint/ Seleucia, April, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕ; between feet of king, a pellet; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Pars Coins
- Sellwood 55.4 variant (pellet between feet; legend ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΥ instead of ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ)
- Peus 372 (Oct 2002), Lot 657 (this coin)
- de Callataÿ 84 (Phraates IV)


May, 27 B.C.

PDC 16487Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.64g
Mint/ Seleucia, May, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 55.5-6 variant (no month prefix)
- de Callataÿ 123 (Phraates IV)
- Shore 308


PDC 21589Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 11.18g
Mint/ Seleucia, May, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; between king's feet, a pellet; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 55.5-6 variant (no month prefix; pellet between feet)
- Allotte de la Fuÿe, 1333
- BMC Parthia, not listed
- de Callataÿ 128 (Phraates IV)
- Shore 308


June, 27 B.C.

PDC 20364Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.94g, 26mm, 1h
Mint/ Seleucia, June, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters Π ΔΑΙΣ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ Wroth, Catalog of Parthian Coins in the British Museum (1903)
- Sellwood 55.6
- B. Simonetta (1987), pl.14, 9
- BMC Parthia, p.102, 14; pl.19, 3 (Phraates IV) (this coin)
- de Callataÿ 126 (Phraates IV) 
- SNG Cop., 117

PDC 17964Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.35g
Mint/ Seleucia, June, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters Π ΔΑΙΣ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 55.6 variant (pellet between feet)
- de Callataÿ 137 (Phraates IV) (this coin)
- Peus 314 (30 Oct-1 Nov 1985), 245
- Peus 332 (Oct 1991), 315
- Schulten (Apr 1988), 230
- Shore 308


July, 27 B.C.

PDC 6254Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.54g
Mint/ Seleucia, July, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters O ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ Location/ Bibliothèque Nationale de France, no. 1968/844
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 55.5-6 variant (month O ΔΑΙΣΙ)
- Allotte de la Fuÿe, 1342
- de Callataÿ 127 (Phraates IV) (this coin?)
- de Morgan, pl.XIV, 5
- Oxford, Oman 1947

PDC 15145Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 15.31g, 28mm, 12h
Mint/ Seleucia, July, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; between king's feet, a pellet; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters O ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
- Sellwood 55.5-6 variant (month O ΔΑΙΣΙ; pellet between feet)
- de Callataÿ 130 (Phraates IV) (this coin)
- Peus 372 (Oct 2002), Lot 659 (this coin)


August, 27 B.C.

PDC 31220Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.14g, 29mm, 12h
Mint/ Seleucia, August, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters Γ ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission
- Sellwood 55.5
- de Callataÿ 141 (Phraates IV)
- Shore 308

PDC 11126Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.58g
Mint/ Seleucia, August, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters Γ ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group
- Sellwood 55.5 variant (pellet between feet)
- Allotte de la Fuÿe, 1332
- CNG eBay Jun 2001, Product ID: 726938 (this coin)
- de Callataÿ 144 (Phraates IV)


September, 27 B.C.

PDC 29704Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 13.70g, 29mm, 12h
Mint/ Seleucia, September, 27 B.C.
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne; in right hand Nike stands right presenting wreath; in left hand, scepter; between king's feet, a pellet; under throne, Greek letters ΕΠΣ; in exergue, Greek letters Y ΔΑΙΣΙ ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Bob Rives
- Sellwood 55.5-6 variant (month Y ΔΑΙΣΙ; pellet between feet)
- de Callataÿ 150-151 variant (pellet present between feet of king) (Phraates IV)
 


The following coins are attributed to Tiridates by both Sellwood and de Callataÿ. Note that the inscription includes ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡ (instead of ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ) and adds ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ.

March, 26 B.C.

PDC 9403Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.01g
Mint/ Seleucia, March, [26 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding scepter in left; vertically behind Tyche, Greek letters ϚΠΣ; above palm, Greek letters ΞΑ; in exergue, Greek word ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Note/ year date has inverted digamma
Location/ Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (Petrowicz plaster casts)
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 55.7
- Petrowicz, p.99,2; pl.XIII-2 (as Tiridates II?) (this coin)
- de Callataÿ not listed

PDC 20437Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm, 11.61g
Mint/ Seleucia, May, [26 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding scepter in left; pellet above Tyche's arm; vertically behind Tyche, Greek letters ϚΠΣ; above palm, Greek letters ΞΑ; in exergue, Greek word ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Note/ year date has inverted digamma
Location/ British Museum
Photo/ Wroth, Catalog of Parthian Coins in the British Museum (1903)
- Sellwood 55.7 variant (pellet above Tyche's arm)
- BMC Parthia, p.135, 1; pl.23, no. 8 (as Tiridates II?) (this coin)
- de Callataÿ pl.XX, 2 (Tiridates) 


May, 26 B.C.

PDC 9392Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm, 13.72g
Mint/ Seleucia, May, [26 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding scepter in left; vertically behind Tyche, Greek letters ϚΠΣ; above palm, Greek letters ΔΑΙ;  in exergue, Greek word ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Note/ year date has correctly engraved digamma
Location/ Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (Petrowicz plaster casts)
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 55.9 variant (crescent under ΔΑΙ, pellet below Tyche's arm)
- Petrowicz, p.99,1; pl.XIII-1  (as Tiridates II?) (this coin)
- Petrowicz, 2345 (this coin)
- de Callataÿ pl.XX, 6 (this coin) (Tiridates)

PDC 20438Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm, 11.73g
Mint/ Seleucia, May, [26 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and holding scepter in left; vertically behind Tyche, Greek letters ϚΠΣ; above palm, Greek letters ΔΑΙ;  in exergue, Greek word ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ British Museum
Photo/ Wroth, Catalog of Parthian Coins in the British Museum (1903)
- Sellwood 55.9 variant (pellet above Tyche's arm)
- BMC Parthia, p.135, 2; plate 23, no. 9 (Tiridates II?) (this coin)
- de Callataÿ pl.XX, 5 (Tiridates)
 


The following coins are attributed to Tiridates by Sellwood, but to Phraates IV by de Callataÿ and include the same inscription as type 55.1-6 (that is, not using ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡ and ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ).

April 27(?)

PDC 6610Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 15.44g, 27mm
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne, holding bow in right hand, scepter in left; above bow, monogram; below throne, Greek letter Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/  Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Royale, Brussels, Inv. II, 81866
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 55.10
- A-B. Simonetta (1987), pl.14, 10
- BM, 1894-5-6-2109 (Cunningham)
- CNR XVII(2) 1992, lot 107 (this coin)
- de Callataÿ 100 (Phraates IV) (this coin)
- SNG Lockett 3288
- SNG Milano, XII(4), 63

PDC 29599Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 15.00g, 28mm
Mint/ Seleucia, April 27, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne, holding bow in right hand, scepter in left; above bow, monogram; below throne, Greek letter Α; between king's feet, Greek letter Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Pars Coins
- Sellwood 55.10 variant (Α between feet)
- de Callataÿ 87 (Phraates IV)

PDC 779Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.0g
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne, holding bow in right hand, scepter in left; above bow, monogram; below bow, pellet; below throne, Greek letter Α; between king's feet, Greek letter Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photo/ by permission Ken Dorney, Classical Numismatist
- Sellwood 55.10 variant (Α between feet; pellet below bow) (month off flan)
- de Callataÿ not listed (Phraates IV)

PDC 25576Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 26mm
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne, holding bow in right hand, scepter in left; above bow, monogram; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ Bibliothèque royale, Cabinet des Médailles, no. II, 81864
Photo/ by permission Windsor Antiquities
- Sellwood 55.10 variant (Α missing under throne)
- de Callataÿnot listed (Phraates IV) 

PDC 5731Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne, holding bow in right hand, scepter in left; above bow, monogram; below throne, Greek letter Δ; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ Bibliothèque royale, Cabinet des Médailles, no. II, 81864
Photo/ Yahoo auction (Sep 2000)
- Sellwood 55.10 variant (Δ under throne)
- de Callataÿ not listed (Phraates IV)

PDC 9182Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 26mm
Mint/ Seleucia, April 27, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated left on throne, holding bow in right hand, scepter in left; above bow, monogram; below throne, pellet above Δ; between king's feet, Greek letter Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜΙ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ Bibliothèque royale, Cabinet des Médailles, no. II, 81864
Photo/ by permission Windsor Antiquities
- Sellwood 55.10 variant (pellet above Δ under throne; Α between feet) (month off flan)
- de Callataÿ 96-99 (Phraates IV)
- Numismatica Ars Classica C (11-12 Mar 1993), 1470

PDC 20373Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.48g
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and in left holding scepter; above her arm, monogram 40; between king's legs, Greek letter Α; under throne, Greek letters Υ above Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ British Museum
Photo/ BMC Parthia (1903)
- Sellwood 55.11
- BMC Parthia, p.109, 55; plate 20, no. 3 (Phraates IV) (ex Lubicz)

PDC 32052Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 11.93g, 26mm, 12h
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and in left holding scepter; above her arm, monogram 40 is erased, apparently removed from coin (see detail); between king's legs, Greek letter Α; under throne, Greek letters Υ above Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Photos/ by Pieter Anne van't Haaff
- Sellwood 55.11 variant (monogram removed above Tyche's arm)

PDC 6611Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.) (de Callataÿ's Phraates IV)
AR Tetradrachm, 14.95g, 28mm, 11h
Mint/ Seleucia, April, [27 B.C.]
Obv/ bust left with medium tapered beard wearing diadem and three-band torque with no visible end; no wart; four formal rows of curls with no ear visible; circular border of dots
Rev/ male wearing diadem seated right on throne; to his right, Tyche[?] stands left presenting palm branch in right hand, and in left holding scepter; above her arm, monogram 40 and a pellet; between king's legs, Greek letter Α; under throne, Greek letters Υ above Α; in exergue, Greek letters ΑΡΤΕΜ; seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ; no border
Location/ Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Royale, Brussels, Inv. II, 81867
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 55.11 variant (pellet above Tyche's arm)
- BM 1877-7-1-9 Feuardent
- de Callataÿ 108 (Phraates IV) (this coin)
- Hirsch 160 (1988), Lot 324
- Lanz 20 (1981), Lot 307
- Münz Zentrum 39 (1980), Lot 680
- Peus 290 (1976), lot 152
- Shore 311

Sellwood, Victory Drachms of Phraates IV, Type 5


PDC 88192Tiridates I (c. 29 - 26 B.C.)
AR Drachm 3.88 g (PDC 88192)
Mint/ Rhagae, undated (circa. 28 B.C.?)
Obv/ bare-headed bust left with royal wart, pointed beard; wearing diadem. Segmented necklet, no eagle behind head, no star nor crescent in front
Rev/ archer seated right on throne holding bow, below bow monogram
Note/ Sellwood reports that there are traces of the eagle on the obverse having been removed from the original die, and believes this indicates use by Tiridates I of the Phraates IV die modified to his purposes. "When Phraates withdrew to obtain Scythian assistance, Tiridates or his supporters had an opportunity briefly to move up onto the plateau where drachms were produced from this hurriedly altered die." [Sellwood, "The 'Victory' Drachms of Phraates IV", AJN (1995-96), p. 80]. So far, this coin appears to be unique.
Photo/ by permission Baldwin's
- Sellwood cf. 53.6 variant (eagle removed from die)
- Sellwood, "The 'Victory' Drachms of Phraates IV", AJN (1995-96), plate 12, #11 (this coin)
- New York Sale 34 (6 Jan 2015), lot 436 (this coin)

 


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