Description
Parthian Empire, Vonones I, Shahanshah or King of Kings of Parthia 8-12 AD, Silver Drachm (3.77g, 21mm), Ekbatana mint 8-12 AD. Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of Shahanshah Vonones I facing to the left, legend in corrupted Ancient Greek surrounds, “ΠACIΛЄYC ΟΝⲰΝΗΣ”. Reverse: Nike advancing to the right, draped and veiled and with wings spread, holding aloft palm frond in right hand and olive wreath in left, “AT” monogram to lower right, legend in corrupted Ancient Greek surrounds, “◻️ACIΛЄYC ONⲰNHC NЄIKHCAC APTΛ◻️ΛNOH”. Sellwood-60.5. Minor flan crack and minor hairlines to reverse field, otherwise with bold detail and well centred, a better Parthian type struck contemporary to Augustus’ reign, Extremely Fine.
The Obverse Ancient Greek legend reads “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΟΝΩΝΗΣ” or “Basileús Onōnēs”, with an English translation of “King Vonones”. The Reverse Ancient Greek legend reads “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΟΝΩΝΗΣ ΝΕΙΚΗΣΑΣ ΑΡΤΑΒΑΝΟΝ” or “Basileús Onōnēs nīkḗsās Artábanos”, with an English translation of “King Vonones, victorious over Artabanus”.