Parthian Related Coins

p a r t h i a n  r e l a t e d
c o i n s

About Parthian related coins - Saka/Sacaraucae issues, Sanabares, Farn-Sasan, etc.

r e f e r e n c e s

Satraps in Sakastan

Cheiroukes

'Cheiroukes, Satrap of Marsakes'
AE Unit
circa 50 BC (?)
Senior ISCH 190 type; Alram 1270
15 x 16 mm.
2.83 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Bearless bust, left, wearing unusual tiara with earflap. Pahlavi legend (according to Senior ISCH "the word 'H(s)trp' or Satrap.")
Reverse: Greek legend in three lines (reconstructed from all the known examples): XEIPOVKOY MAPΣAKOY CATPAΠOY
Note: Only four or five examples exist, one known to have been found in Sistan. Senior thinks 1st century BC; looks later to me. Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Unknown

Arsakes Theos

AE Unit
Senior ISCH 191.1D
Specimen weights are 3.34, 3.63, 3.75 and 3.91 gm.
Obverse: Horse walking right; Monogram before. AΡCAKoY BACIΛEWC ΘEOY
Reverse: Bow and bow case.
Note: Image from R. G. Bartlett, 'Arsakes: Theos and Dikaios,' NC Seventh Series, No. 3, 1963

'King's Brother'

AE Unit
Senior ISCH 192.1D ii (this coin)
3.67 gm. (2nd specimen in Senior: 4.86 gm.)
Obverse: Horse walking right; Monogram before. Bartlett: BAΣIΛEΩS ADEΛΦOY [__]ΦIΛ; Senior: BAΣIΛEΩN ADELΦoY [__]ΛI Λ
Reverse: Bow and bow case.
Note: Image from R. G. Bartlett, 'Arsakes: Theos and Dikaios,' NC Seventh Series, No. 3, 1963

Phar
AR drachm of Demetrios of Bactria countermarked with standing Hercules; legend: ΦΑΡ
Obverse: Bust right in elephant headdress.
Reverse: Standing Hercules.
Senior ISCH 193.1D
2.90 gm.

Sellwood 33/39 imitations countermarked with facing bust (and some with Σ)
Struck on local imitations in billon and copper, some official issues (?), and gold (from the Tillya-Tepe excavations; a gold coin of this type was found in the hand of the princess buried in tomb six -- and illustrated in the Parthia.com site here.) An AR imitation drachm of Phraates IV [see below: Senior 199 type] was in her mouth. Gold coins, gold imitations of coins, and gold bracteates in Central Asian graves are somewhat typical.

Unknown
AR Drachm
___ gm.
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 194 type; Alram -; Mitchiner ACW 776 (King 'C')
Obverse: Imitation of Sellwood 33/39 drachm countermarked with facing diademed bust.
Reverse:
Note: Temporary photo courtesy Loginov and Nikitin, Coins from Merv..., plate 6, 49

Unknown
AR Drachm
3.18 gm.
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 194 type; Alram -; Mitchiner ACW 776 (King 'C')
Obverse: Imitation of Sellwood 33/39 drachm countermarked with facing diademed bust.
Reverse:
Note: Temporary photo courtesy CNG 46, lot 567.

Tanlis Countermark, head left
Small head countermarks with the legend TANΛhC or TANΛhCMOC around. Struck on the coins of Mithradates II, Gotarzes I, Orodes I, Sinatruces, Phraates III, Orodes II, Phraates IV and on the local 'Theopator' issues described below.

Countermarked Sellwood 39.7 type
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 195.5aDv.; Sellwood 39.7v.
21 x 19 mm.
3.68 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse:
Reverse:
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Countermarked Sellwood 39.2 type
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 195.5aDv.
3.76 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:
Note: Temporary photo courtesy CNG 57, lot 682.

Tanlis Mardates
Tanlis Mardates and Lady Raggodeme.

Tanlis Mardates and Lady Raggodeme
AR Drachm
3.33 gm.
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 196; Alram 1269; Mitchiner ACW 758
Obverse: Queen right wearing veil and holding plant. Legend around.
Reverse: King right wearing fancy headgear. Legend around.
Note: Temporary photo courtesy CNG 46, lot 566.

Tanlis Mardates w/Countermark, head right
Tanlis Mardates and Lady Raggodeme with TANΛhC countermark

Tanlis Mardates and Lady Raggodeme
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 197 [Tanlis II]
18 x 19 mm.
3.26 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Queen right wearing veil and holding plant; Tanlis countermark. Legend around.
Reverse: King right wearing fancy headgear. Legend around.

Tanlis Mardates and Lady Raggodeme
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 197 [Tanlis II]; Alram 1269A; Mitchiner ACW 759
19 x 18 mm.
3.67 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Queen right wearing veil and holding plant; Tanlis countermark. Legend around.
Reverse: King right wearing fancy headgear. Legend around.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Tanlis Mardates and Lady Raggodeme
AR Drachm
3.24 gm.
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 197 [Tanlis II]; Alram 1269A; Mitchiner ACW 759
Obverse: Queen right wearing veil and holding plant; Tanlis countermark. Legend around.
Reverse: King right wearing fancy headgear. Legend around.
Note: I believe all countermarking of this issue occurs on the Queen's side; perhaps that is the obverse. Temporary photo courtesy CNG 60, lot 1035.

Local 'Theopator' Issues
These odd coins include imitations of Phraates III (Sellwood 39) and Orodes II, in relatively good style, but with ΘEOΠATOPΣ or ΘEOΠATOPOC (and other variants) inserted into the reverse legend. 'Theopator' doesn't occur on the official issues of Orodes II. Most bear the mint mark ΑΡ or ΔΡ. Senior believes the mint letters may stand for Arachosia or Drangiana (Senior ISCH fn. 1, page 147).

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
19 mm.
3.49 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΔΡ under bow. ΘEOΠATP
Note:

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
20 x 18 mm.
3.10 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΔΡ under bow. ΘEOΠA
Note:

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
20 x 19 mm.
3.17 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΔΡ under bow. ΘEOΠATP
Note:

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
19 mm.
3.42 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΑΡ under bow. ΘEΠAΠ
Note:

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
20 x 18 mm.
3.18 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΔΡ under bow. ΘEOΠA
Note:

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
19 mm.
2.84 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΔΡ under bow. ΘEOΠAToP
Note:

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD
Senior ISCH 201 type
18 mm.
2.95 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Imitation drachm (s47) of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC).
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. Unclear under bow. ΘEOΠATP
Note:

'Gondopharid' countermark

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 202.1D; Mitchiner ACW 779 (King 'D'), Shore 471, Sellwood ICP 91.7
18 mm.
3.47 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse: Local imitation drachm of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC); countermarked with the 'Gondopharid' symbol.
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend; unclear reverse type.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 202.1D; Mitchiner ACW 779 (King 'D'), Shore 471, Sellwood ICP 91.7
18 mm.
3.29 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Local imitation drachm of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC); countermarked with the 'Gondopharid' symbol.
Reverse: Blundered Greek legend. ΔΡ under bow; Λ (?) above.

Unknown/Orthagnes
AR Drachm
circa 50 BC - 50 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 783 (this coin); Senior ISCH 203.1D (this coin)
___ mm.
___ gm.
Die position=_h
Obverse: Local imitation drachm of the Parthian king, Orodes II (57 - 38 BC); countermarked with OPΘAΓNOY (Orthagnes) around 'Gondopharan symbol'.
Reverse: Unclear reverse type.
Note: Temporary photo courtesy Mitchiner ACW 783.

Helmeted countermark, right

Countermarked Sellwood 52.19 type (possibly an imitation and not an official type)
AR Drachm
circa 35 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 199.1D
20 x 19 mm.
2.62 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse:
Reverse: Π = Μ control (Merv).
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 35 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 199.2D; Mitchiner ACW 767 (King 'A'), Shore 473, Sellwood ICP 91.13
19 mm.
3.74 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse: Imitation of a drachm of the Parthian king, Phraates IV (38 - 2 BC) with a countermark engraved on the die of a helmeted, beardless male head, right.
Reverse: Π = Μ control (Merv). Blundered Greek legend.
Note: Courtesy Prof. Pankaj Tandon collection.

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 35 BC - 50 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 199.2D; Mitchiner ACW 767 (King 'A'), Shore 473, Sellwood ICP 91.13
19 mm.
3.95 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Imitation of a drachm of the Parthian king, Phraates IV (38 - 2 BC) with a countermark engraved on the die of a helmeted, beardless male head, right.
Reverse: Π = Μ control (Merv). Blundered Greek legend.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Helmeted countermark, left

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 - 150 AD
Senior ISCH 200 type; Mitchiner ACW 775 (King 'B')
16 x 18 mm.
3.10 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Imitation of a drachm of a Parthian king countermarked with, or with a countermark engraved on the die of, a helmeted head, left.
Reverse: Bent-bar 'A' control. Blundered Greek legend.

Unknown
AR Drachm
circa 50 - 150 AD
Senior ISCH 200.1D; Mitchiner ACW 774 (King 'B')
17 x 18 mm.
3.67 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Imitation of a drachm of a Parthian king countermarked with, or with a countermark engraved on the die of, a helmeted head, left.
Reverse: Bent-bar 'A' control. Blundered Greek legend.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Parthian imitations without countermarks
Note: Imitations of Mithradates II (Mitchiner ISIGC volume 5, type 606) and Phraates II (CNG 58, lot 749) exist. I'm sure there are others.

Unknown ruler
AR Drachm
Imitation of Vardanes II (?) (circa 60 AD)
circa 50 - 150 AD (?)
Senior ISCH -; Mitchiner ACW - (similar to 2663); Koch Eastern Parthia -
18 x 17 mm.
3.34 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Blundered legend. Monogram 80 reversed (Brahmi Sva ?) behind archer; Monogram 87 below bow.
Note: For Monogram 80 see: Sellwood 64.34/Shore 354-356 (Vardanes I 40 - 45 AD); Sellwood 65.36/Shore 365 (Gotarzes II 40 - 51 AD). A similar monogram exists on the coinage of Azes (II) (in the "drachm only" series -- probably posthumous), Aspavarma, and Abdagases.

Unknown ruler
AR Drachm
Imitation of Vardanes II (?) (circa 60 AD)
circa 50 - 150 AD (?)
Senior ISCH -; Mitchiner ACW - (similar to 2663); Koch Eastern Parthia -
18 x 16 mm.
3.67 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Blundered legend. Monogram 80 reversed (Brahmi Sva ?) behind archer; Monogram 87 below bow.
Note: For Monogram 80 see: Sellwood 64.34/Shore 354-356 (Vardanes I 40 - 45 AD); Sellwood 65.36/Shore 365 (Gotarzes II 40 - 51 AD). A similar monogram exists on the coinage of Azes (II) (in the "drachm only" series -- probably posthumous), Aspavarma, and Abdagases.

Unknown ruler
AR Drachm
Imitation of Vardanes II (?) (circa 60 AD)
circa 50 - 150 AD (?)
Senior ISCH -; Mitchiner ACW - (similar to 2663); Koch Eastern Parthia -
19 x 16 mm.
3.74 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Blundered legend. Monogram 80 reversed (Brahmi Sva ?) behind archer; Monogram 87 below bow.
Note: For Monogram 80 see: Sellwood 64.34/Shore 354-356 (Vardanes I 40 - 45 AD); Sellwood 65.36/Shore 365 (Gotarzes II 40 - 51 AD). A similar monogram exists on the coinage of Azes (II) (in the "drachm only" series -- probably posthumous), Aspavarma, and Abdagases.

Unknown ruler
AR Drachm
Imitation of Pakoros II (78 - 105 AD) or later
circa 90 - 150 AD (?)
Shore 401, Sellwood ICP 77.8v. [Sellwood Numismatic Chronicle 1989, Plate 42 (type 6)]
18 x 20 mm.
3.74 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Bearded, bare-headed bust left wearing diadem with loop at the top.
Reverse: Archer seated right on throne holding bow. Blundered Greek legend. Monogram 73 below bow.
Note: Similar to drachms found with diobols and hemiobols imitating Parthian coins of the 1st-2nd century CE (part of a large hoard of coins of Persis found in the early 1980s). Possibly from unknown mint in Persis or Kerman, or an eastern or Indo-Parthian mint.

Sanabares and later unknown kings
Circa 135 - 160 AD (?)
The coins of Sanabares (with Greek/Pahlavi legends) are usually included with the 'Indo-Parthian' types but differ from the other coins of the series (all other Indo-Parthian coins have Greek/Kharosthi legends, although the Sind drachms of Abdagases II and Pakores have an abrieviated Pahlavi legend behind the bust on the obverse.)

Sakastan

Sanabares
AR Drachm
3.55 gm.
circa 150 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 261.1D; Alram 1192
Obverse: Bearded bust left wearing tiara with earflaps. Pahlavi legend around: s'nbry MLK' gbwz'n 'King Sanabares, son of Ubouzanes'
Reverse:
Note: Temporary photo courtesy Alram 'Personennamenbuch' #1192

Sanabares
AR Drachm
2.99 gm.
circa 150 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 262.1D; Alram 1191
Obverse: Bearded bust left wearing tiara with earflaps. Pahlavi legend behind bust: s'
Reverse:
Note: Temporary photo courtesy CNG 54, lot 1048.

Arachosia

Sanabares
AE Tetradrachm
7.81 gm.
circa 150 AD (?)
Senior ISCH 265.3T
Obverse: Bust left. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Nike right. Greek legend around.
Note: Temporary photo courtesy Senior ISCH 265.3.

Koch Groups 1 - 5: AE drachms with clearly Parthian prototypes
Most with Π = Μ control (Group 3 has the legend 'APTA'); a few with Τ control; Group 5 has &Lambda within Π control

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Artabanos II (?) (circa 10 - 38)
circa 50 - 150 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2656v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group 4 (?)
14 x 13 mm.
3.32 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Very crude Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Very crude, stylized archer seated right with bow.
Note: Interesting coin; it has quite a 'Sogdian' or 'Yueh Chih' look to it.

Koch Group 6: "Vologases III (ca. 105-147 AD)"
All with Π = Μ control; some with 'Vologases symbol'

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 125 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2647v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group 6 (?)
13 mm.
2.92 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Partial Greek legend and control marks. Lambda above bow.

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 125 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2652v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group 6 (?)
13 mm.
2.82 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Partial Greek legend and control marks. 'Vologases symbol' behind archer.

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 125 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2660v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group -
16 x 17 mm.
2.43 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Very crude Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Very crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. 'Vologases symbol' above bow (?).

Koch Groups 7 - 10: "Sanabares II (ca. second quarter of 2nd century)"
All with Π = Μ control; some with 'Gondopharan symbol'

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 125 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2657v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group 8 (?)
15 x 16 mm.
4.63 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Partial Greek legend and control marks. 'Gondopharan' symbol behind archer.

Koch Group 11: "Sanabares II or successor (ca. second quarter of 2nd century)"
All with Α within Π control; some with 'Gondopharan symbol'

Koch Group 12: "Ruler of Abarshahr (ca. second half of 2nd century)"
All with Α above Π control; a small group with Τ within Π control. Some with legend: ABLShTR

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 150 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2649v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group 12
16 mm.
3.88 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left. Symbols/control marks left and right.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Partial Greek legend and control marks. Monogram 98 variation.

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 150 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW -, Koch Eastern Parthia Group 12A
15 mm.
3.29 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Partial Greek legend and control marks.

Unknown ruler
AE Drachm
Imitation of Vologases III (circa 105 - 147)
circa 150 - 200 AD (?)
Mitchiner ACW 2653v., Koch Eastern Parthia Group 12F; Sellwood 93.10
17 x 13 mm.
3.77 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed and bearded Parthian-style bust left.
Reverse: Crude, stylized archer seated right with bow. Partial Greek legend and control marks. Τ within Π control.

Kingdom of Turan
Circa 160 - 230 AD (?)

Imitations of Pakores

Farn-Sasan

Farn-Sasan [Alram's 'Unknown King IV'/Mitchiner's 'Ardamitra']
AE Tetradrachm
circa 220 AD (?)
Alram 1217 type; Mitchiner ACW 1260v.; Illustrated on page 78 of Shore 'Parthian Coins and History' (this coin)
23 mm.
7.72 gm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Diademed bust left holding arrow; Pahlavi legend.
Reverse: Fire altar; Pahlavi legend.
Note: Legend reconstructed by Alexander B. Nikitin as: prssn BRY 'twrssn BRY BRY tyrdty BRY npy s'nbry MLKYN MLK' (Farn-Sasan, son of Adur-Sasan, grandson of Tiridates, descendant of Sanabares, King of Kings).

Farn-Sasan [Alram's 'Unknown King IV'/Mitchiner's 'Ardamitra']
AE Tetradrachm
circa 220 AD (?)
Alram 1217 type; Mitchiner ACW 1260v.
21 x 23 mm.
8.65 gm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Diademed bust left holding arrow; Pahlavi legend.
Reverse: Fire altar; Pahlavi legend.
Note: Legend reconstructed by Alexander B. Nikitin as: prssn BRY 'twrssn BRY BRY tyrdty BRY npy s'nbry MLKYN MLK' (Farn-Sasan, son of Adur-Sasan, grandson of Tiridates, descendant of Sanabares, King of Kings). Courtesy Robert W. Schaaf collection.

b a c k  t o  a n c i e n t  c o i n s