Parthian drachm of Mithridates I, ca. 171–138 BCE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 171–138 BCE
Issuing entity
Parthian EmpireThis silver drachm was minted under the Parthian king Mithridates I. The front of the coin displays a left-facing royal head, likely portraying Mithridates himself wearing a pointed cap tied with a diadem, framed by a dotted circular border that does not completely join along the bottom edge.
The reverse depicts a seated man turned toward the right, clutching a bow with its string oriented upward while resting upon a crosshatched mound. He is clad in a cloak over striped sleeves and trousers, boots with laces and heels, and a diadem tied over a pointed headpiece with earflaps. A Greek legend flanks the figure across three sides.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- 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
The Parthians did not produce coinage prior to establishing their empire in the third century B.C., leading them to adapt the coin designs of the Seleucid Empire whose lands they overran. The pose of the seated archer on the reverse reflects Seleucid coins representing Apollo, though the specific individual remains unidentified and may perhaps be an idealized king or a depiction of Arsaces I. Furthermore, the inscription mentions the founding sovereign Arsaces I rather than Mithridates I, which might denote the royal line, represent the archer himself, or reflect the possibility that Parthian monarchs adopted 'Arsaces' as a titular or throne name.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2952: Thickness 0.25 cm, Diameter 1.88 cm
Design
- Obverse
- A left-facing royal head, likely Mithridates I, features a large profile eye, prominent cheekbones, thick lips, an assertive chin, and a prominent nose. Four curls extend from under a pointed cap with earflaps, over which a diadem is tied. The image is enclosed by a dotted border that remains incomplete at the lower section.
- Reverse
- A seated male figure faces right on a crosshatched mound, holding a bow with its string pointing upward. He wears a cloak, striped sleeves, striped trousers, laced heeled boots, and a pointed hat with earflaps bound by a diadem. Surrounding him on three sides is a Greek inscription.
- Inscription (as read by the museum)
- "of great king Arsaces"
Identification
- Issuing state
- Parthian Empire
- Museum accession numbers
- 99.35.2952
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Mithridates I
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. 171–138 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 Parthian coinage before citing one.