Description
Parthian Empire, Mithridates II of the Arsacid Dynasty, King of Kings of Parthia 124-91 BC, Silver Drachm (3.86g, 21mm), Ekbatana mint, circa 111/110-100/99 BC. Obverse: Diademed head of King of Kings Mithridates II facing to the left. Reverse: King Arsaces I, wearing bashlyk and cloak, enthroned facing to the right, holding bow forward in right hand, Ancient Greek legend surrounds, “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ”. Sellwood-27.1-2; Sunrise-293; Shore-85. Some slight roughness, otherwise quite visually appealing, very well centred each side and with a nice even steel grey patina, good Very Fine.
The reverse Greek legend details the royal Parthian titulature, reading “βασιλεύς βᾰσῐλέων, μεγάλου Ἀρσάκης, Ἐπιφανής”, transliterated as “Basileús Basiléōn, megálou Arsákēs, Epiphanḗs”, with an English translation of “King of Kings, Arsaces the Great, the Illustrious”.
