Drachm probably of Darius II of Media Atropatene, ca. 1st century BCE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1st century BCE
Issuing entity
Media AtropateneThis ancient silver drachm originates from Iran and is most likely an issue of Darius II, who ruled Media Atropatene around the first century B.C. The coin exemplifies the primary denomination struck in silver during this broader historical period, measuring under two centimeters across.
The coin features royal portraiture and ritual imagery across both faces. Its front displays a bust identified most likely as Darius II, characterized by a long pointed beard and elaborate headwear that includes a diadem alongside a beaded tiara with a lappet and crescent motif. The reverse illustrates the monarch clad in a sweeping robe, facing toward the left before an active fire altar with a raised staff in hand, encircled by an inscription.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Coin production for Parthian monarchs commenced following the reign of Mithridates I around 171 to 138 B.C., with silver serving as the predominant coinage metal across more than twenty minting centers. Drachms functioned as the chief monetary denomination, with the majority struck at Ecbatana, whereas larger tetradrachms were manufactured almost exclusively in Seleucia-Ctesiphon. Parthian coinage typically displayed a left-facing profile of the king on the obverse accompanied by either a seated archer or an altar scene on the reverse.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2951: Thickness 0.23 cm, Diameter 1.82 cm
Design
- Obverse
- The front of the coin depicts a bust, most likely representing Darius II, with a long, pointed beard. The ruler wears a diadem along with a tiara fitted with a lappet and embellished with a crescent motif and three rows of beading.
- Reverse
- The back portrays the king turned to the left before an ignited fire altar. He is dressed in a full-length robe, raises his left hand to grasp a staff, and is encircled by an inscription.
Identification
- Issuing state
- Media Atropatene
- Museum accession numbers
- 99.35.2951
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Darius II
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. 1st century B.C.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research Required: no specialist corpus type number is recorded here; confirm the type, die variety and mint against a published corpus of Media Atropatene coinage before citing one.