See the genealogy chart.
These coins are among the most common issues from the Parthian "Dark Age", the period after the death of Mithradates II (c. 123 - 88 B.C.) until the accession of Orodes II (c. 57 - 38 B.C.). There were over 200 examples of S30 tetradrachms in a huge hoard of Parthian coins found in 1955 in Gonbad-e Kaboos, in north-east Iran. The hoard contained well over 15,000 tetradrachms and drachms. Given that we have very little contemporary and non-contemporary evidence from the Parthian "Dark Age", the coins of this period have become an indispensable tool in the reconstruction of the history of Iran after the death of Mithradates II.
Babylonian cuneiform texts from the reign of Unknown King II amount only to a handful of fragments, his coins, especially the "campaign coins" (the drachms with full mint names) have given us a glimpse of the political situation during the period c. 75-60 B.C. See Sellwood 30.18, 30.21-22, 30.24-25, and 30.28-29.
Click here to view the inscriptions on this king's coins.
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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.
Click on coin images to enlarge:
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.30g (PDC 10509) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; below bow, Greek letter Β; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.1 [8 in db] - Peus 368, Lot 347 (this coin) - Shore not listed |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 16.00g (PDC 9273) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C1, R Previous collection: Petrowicz; Dr. Adler, Bagdad Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.2 [16 in db] - Samm. Petrowicz pl. V-1 (this coin) - Petrowicz p.32,1; pl.V-1 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 16.07g (PDC 6584) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in three horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Current collection: Bibliothèque Royale, Brussels, II, 46048 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.2 variant (3 rows curls) [39 in db] - J. Schulman, vente 228, 1247 (this coin) - BMC Parthia p.38, 3 - de Morgan 70 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 14.28g (PDC 9277) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in three horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C1, R Previous collection: Petrowicz Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.2 variant (3 rows curls; monogram ΚΔΥ?) [1 in db] - Samm. Petrowicz pl. V-3 (this coin) - Petrowicz p.33,9; pl.V-3 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.80g (PDC 29108) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in five vertical rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo Münzen und Medaillen AG - Sellwood 30.2 variant (5 rows vertical curls) [2 in db] - M&M Basel 32 (1966), lot 165 (this coin) - BMC Parthia p.38, 3 - Brett, Boston MFA (1955), 2219 - Simonetta (1953): "Notes on the Parthian and Indo-Parthian Issues of the 1st Century B.C.", 117 (Class A) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 16.26g (PDC 19139) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; monogram as pellets l. and r. of bow; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Pars Coins - Sellwood 30.2 variant (monogram as pellets l. and r. of bow) [3 in db] - CNG 36 (5-6 Dec 1995), lot 129 (this coin) - Leu 83 (6-7 May 2002), lot 416 (this coin) - Shore 129 (this coin) - Triton IX (9 Jan 2006), lot 1092 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.720g 33mm 12h (PDC 4567) Mint: Seleucia Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, Greek letters APO; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Previous collection: Dr. Adler coll. Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1967.152.708 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.3 [2 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.83g (PDC 11461) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 30.4 [2 in db] - CNG 58, lot 756 (this coin) - Shore 130 variant (monogram) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.85g (PDC 23345) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in three horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~] engraved over Greek letters ΑΠΟ; below bow, Greek letters ΑΠΟ; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.5 [2 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm (PDC 28049) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ - Sellwood 30.6 [2 in db] - Sellwood ICP (1980), type 30.6 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 16.10g (PDC 20785) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.7 [21 in db] - Peus 376 (Oct 2003), Lot 635 (this coin) - Shore 130 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm (PDC 28050) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ - Sellwood 30.8 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 14.16g (PDC 23346) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; above and below bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.9 [3 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 14.98g 12h (PDC 29493) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in four horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; below bow, monogram [~]; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 30.9 variant (monogram below bow only) [4 in db] - CNG 69 (8 Jun 2005), lot 756 (this coin) - Shore 130 variant (monogram) - Superior (9-10 Dec 1994), lot 800 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.890g 33mm 12h (PDC 4557) Mint: Seleucia Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair in three horizontal rows of curls covering ear; circular reel and pellet border Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; in exergue, Greek letters ΣΥΜ; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1966.150.8 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.10 [2 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 16.00g (PDC 9276) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular [reel and pellet?] border Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΥΣΗΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C2, RR Previous collection: Petrowicz; S. Alichan, Constantinople Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.11 [1 in db] - Samm. Petrowicz pl. V-2 (this coin) - Petrowicz p.33,10; pl.V-2 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 16.030g 33mm 12h (PDC 4550) Mint: Seleucia Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair style revealing ear with concentric rows above diadem; circular reel and pellet border Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; in exergue, Greek letters ΣΥΜ; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1954.203.347 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.12 [1 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm 15.53g 31mm (PDC 9278) Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair style revealing ear with concentric rows above diadem; circular reel and pellet border Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; in exergue, Greek letters ΕΥΣ; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C2, RR Previous collection: Petrowicz; Dr. Adler, Bagdad Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.13 [1 in db] - Samm. Petrowicz pl. V-4 (this coin) - Ars Classica XII (1926), lot 2172 (this coin) - Brett, Boston MFA (1955), 2218 (this coin) - Petrowicz p.33,8; pl.V-4 (as Phraates II) (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.12g 20mm 11h (PDC 27555) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve pointed and reaching only to seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Brad Nelson - Sellwood 30.14 [84 in db] - BMC Parthia 10 - de Morgan pl.VIII, 8 - Mitchiner ACW cf. 530 - Shore 131 (Orodes I) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.13g 20mm (PDC 39432) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; griffin-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve pointed and reaching only to seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Apollo Numismatics - Sellwood 30.15 [46 in db] - Shore 132 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.2g (PDC 24403) Mint: Rhagae Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.16 [230 in db] - Peus 378 (28 Apr 2003), Lot 312 (this coin) - Shore 134 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.01g 20mm (PDC 17358) Mint: Rhagae Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; griffin-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 30.17 [36 in db] - CNG E-Auction 57 (Jan 2003), lot 45 (this coin) - Shore 136 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 6746) Mint: Rhagae Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΕΝΡΑΓΑΙΣ to right of five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.18 [5 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.17g (PDC 4748) Mint: Susa Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer, wearing helmet and cloak, seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.19 [4 in db] - Peus 363, Lot 5139 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.12g (PDC 6932) Mint: Margiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from inside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Note: R; MA 90 [?] Previous collection: R.C. Senior Current collection: Ashmolean Museum, Senior 5477 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.20 [8 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.08g 20mm (PDC 27590) Mint: Margiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription with left two lines side read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by eBay seller wderfler - Sellwood 30.20 variant (last two lines of legend read from outside) [1 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 47534) Mint: Obv: Rhagae; Rev: Margiane or Traxiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription with left side read from inside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Copper Penny/Ancient Byways - Sellwood 30.20 variant (mint mule) [1 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.00g (PDC 2800) Mint? Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ read from inside and ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ is retrograde and read from outside in five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ - Sellwood 30.20 variant (ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ is retrograde, read from outside) [1 in db] - Shore 138 (this coin) - CNG 36 (5-6 Dec 1995), lot 138 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.95g 22mm (PDC 31894) Mint: Margiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΜΑΡΓΙΑΝΗ to right of five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from inside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ - Sellwood 30.21 [3 in db] - Sellwood, Drachms of the Parthian Dark Age (JRAS, 1976), pl. 2, 51 (this coin) - Ars Classica XII (1926), lot 2183 (same obv die) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.98g (PDC 6743) Mint: Margiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΜΑΡΓΙΑΝΗ to right of five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.21 variant (last two lines of legend read from outside) [5 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.63g (PDC 20794) Mint: Margiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne which has two legs visible; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΜΑΡΓΙΑΝΗ to right of five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.21 variant (two-leg throne) [7 in db] - Peus 376 (Oct 2003), Lot 644 (this coin) - Shore 141 - Triton XIII (5 Jan 2010), lot 602 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 6744) Mint: Traxiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΤΡΑΞΙΑΝΗ to right of five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from inside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Current collection: David Sellwood, 1321 (Tray 10) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.22 [2 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.06g 12mm (PDC 42906) Mint: Traxiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne (which has, incorrectly, three legs visible); empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΤΡΑΞΙΑΝΗ to right of five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 30.22 variant (last two lines of legend read from outside) [1 in db] - CNG 75 (23 May 2007), lot 589 (this coin) - Shore not listed |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.93g 20mm (PDC 29608) Mint: Traxiane Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne which has two legs visible; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΤΡΑΞΙΑΝΗ to right of five-line Greek inscription with left two lines read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Pars Coins - Sellwood 30.22 variant (two-leg throne) [7 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 13218) Mint: Nisa Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; double-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Jeffrey Gorman - Sellwood 30.23 [1 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.07g (PDC 24608) Mint: Nisa Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; triple-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΝΙΣΑΙΑ to right of five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Previous collection: Bellaria; Dr. Mesrop Abgarians Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 30.24 [3 in db] - CNG 66 (19 May 2004), lot 780 (this coin) - BMC Parthia not listed - Malter 51 (2 Jun 1993), 235 (this coin) - Mitchiner ACW not listed - Shore not listed |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.14g (PDC 39586) Mint: Nisa Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; triple-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΝΙΣΑΙΑ with lunate sigma to right of five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Previous collection: Robert Gonnella Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.24 variant (ΝΙΣΑΙΑ with lunate sigma) [1 in db] - Peus 388 (1 Nov 2006), lot 388 (this coin) - Sammlung Gonnella: Münzen Der Arsakiden (2008), 177 (this coin) - Shore not listed - Spink Numismatic Circular 7 (1997), lot 3414 (this coin) - Triton XIII (5 Jan 2010), lot 604 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.12g (PDC 21559) Mint: Nisa Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΝΙΣΑΙΑ with lunate sigma to right of five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Previous collection: Bellaria; Dr. Mesrop Abgarians Photo by Classical Numismatic Group - Sellwood 30.24 variant (ΝΙΣΑΙΑ with lunate sigma, single pellet torque) [1 in db] - Triton VII (12 Jan 2004), lot 434 (this coin) - BMC Parthia not listed - Malter 51 (2 Jun 1993), 236 (this coin) - Mitchiner ACW 524 variant (same) - Shore not listed |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm (PDC 6742) Mint: Aria Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΑΡΕΙΑ to right of five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Current collection: David Sellwood, 1970 (Tray 10) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.25 [12 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.19g (PDC 20789) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription but bottom line reads [??????? in retrograde] = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.26 [11 in db] - Peus 376 (Oct 2003), Lot 639 (this coin) - Shore 134 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.15g (PDC 9281) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; griffin-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription but bottom line reads [??????? in retrograde] = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Note: Petrowicz Cond/Rarity: C1 Previous collection: Petrowicz Current collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, plaster cast on glass plate for Samm. Petrowicz (1904) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.26 variant (griffin-ended torque) [1 in db] - Petrowicz p.34,13; pl.V-7 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.83g (PDC 4747) Mint? Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription but bottom line reads [???????] in retrograde and the Θ of ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ appears as second letter of ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. - Sellwood 30.26 variant (Θ misplaced in ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ) [1 in db] - Peus 363, Lot 5138 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 3.3g 21x19mm (PDC 10681) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription but bottom line read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ / ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ / ΘΕΟΠΑΤΩΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by FORVM Ancient Coins (Joseph Sermarini) - Sellwood 30.27 [5 in db] - Shore 140 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.15g 19mm (PDC 405) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; bottom line of five-line Greek inscription is blundered and read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 30.27 variant (bottom line of legend blundered) [2 in db] - Shore 140 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.13g (PDC 6931) Mint: Court at Rhagae Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΚΑΤΑCΤΡΑΤΕΙΑ to right of five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Note: Legend incompletely struck up Previous collection: R.C. Senior Current collection: Ashmolean Museum, Senior 5476 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.28 [11 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.16g (PDC 6745) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΚΑΤΑCΤΡΑΤΕΙΑ to right of five-line Greek inscription but bottom line read from outside and to right of inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Current collection: David Sellwood, 2234 (Tray 10) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.29 [4 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AR Drachm 4.09g (PDC 6748) Mint: Mithradatkart? Obv: very short-bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; single-pellet-ended torque; circular border of pellets Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne; empty cloak sleeve ends in pellet reaching well below seat level, holding bow in right hand; no border; Greek letters ΚΑΤΑCΤΡΑΤΕΙΑ to right of five-line Greek inscription but bottom line read from outside = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Current collection: David Sellwood, 1923 (Tray 10) Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.30 [1 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Tetrachalkous 5.720g 18mm 12h (PDC 4536) Mint: Ecbatana Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: horse walking right; no border; seven-line Greek inscription Previous collection: Gen. Staraselsky coll. Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1944.100.82570 Photo by Chris Hopkins - Sellwood 30.31 [20 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Dichalkous 14mm (PDC 20229) Mint: Rhagae Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: elephant standing right; no border; seven-line Greek inscription Photo from Catalogue of the Coins of Parthia (BMC Parthia, 1903) - Sellwood 30.32 [4 in db] - BMC Parthia, p. 41, 32; plate 9, no. 12 (Artabanus II) (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous 1.26g 14mm 12h (PDC 34796) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: Artemis standing right holding lyre; no border; five-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Photo by Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 30.33 [3 in db] - Le Rider, Suse sous les Séleucides et les Parthes (1965), 150 |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous 16mm (PDC 32579) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: bust of Artemis facing; no border Photo by eBay seller Coinsold (Geoff Smith) - Sellwood 30.34 [5 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28054) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: statue of a Herm [right?]; no border - Sellwood 30.35 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28055) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: stag head right; no border - Sellwood 30.36 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28056) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: Nike walking right; no border - Sellwood 30.37 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous 16mm (PDC 32583) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: horse standing right; no border Photo by eBay seller Coinsold (Geoff Smith) - Sellwood 30.38 [2 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28057) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: female figure seated right; no border - Sellwood 30.39 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28058) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: goddess walking right holding a cornucopia; no border - Sellwood 30.40 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 28059) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: humped bull standing right; no border - Sellwood 30.41 [0 in db] |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous (PDC 47412) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; 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(?) - Sellwood 30.42 [2 in db] - Sellwood ICP (1980), type 30.42 (this coin) |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Dichalkous 2.78g 14mm 1h (PDC 7274) Mint? Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; 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(?) Photo by Thomas K. Mallon, The Coins and History of Asia - Sellwood 30.42 variant (dichalkous) [1 in db] - Shore not listed |
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Unknown King II (80-70 B.C.) AE Chalkous 14mm (PDC 20228) Mint: Susa Obv: bearded bust left wearing diadem, hair covering ear; circular border of pellets Rev: horse head right; no border Previous collection: Cunningham Photo from Catalogue of the Coins of Parthia (BMC Parthia, 1903) - Sellwood 30.43 [2 in db] - BMC Parthia, p. 41, 31; plate 9, no. 11 (Artabanus II) (this coin) |
This page last updated 13 Mar 2021
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