Description
Parthian Empire, Mithridates II of the Arsacid Dynasty, King of Kings of Parthia 124-91 BC, Silver Drachm (4.04g, 19mm), Rhagae mint 96/5-93/2 BC. Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of King of Kings Mithradates II facing to the left, wearing tiara (Sellwood type vi) with ear flap, adorned with eight-rayed star. Reverse: King Arsaces I wearing bashlyk and cloak enthroned facing to the right, legs crossed and holding bow forward in right hand, Ancient Greek legend surrounds, “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ”. Sellwood-28.6. A superb piece, lightly toned and near choicely centred – the reverse with all devices present on flan and a near perfect die-engraving of Arsaces, light toning with subtle colour around the devices, near Mint State.
The reverse Greek legend details the royal Parthian titulature, reading “βασιλεύς βᾰσῐλέων, μεγάλου Ἀρσάκης, Ἐπιφανής”, translitered as “Basileús Basiléōn, megálou Arsákēs, Epiphanḗs”, with an English meaning of “[coin of the] King of Kings, Arsaces the Great, the Illustrious”.