Parthian drachm of Mithridates II, ca. 121–91 BCE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 121–91 BCE
Issuing entity
Parthian EmpireThis ancient Iranian silver drachm was produced under the authority of the Parthian monarch Mithridates II, who ruled from approximately 121 to 91 B.C. Numismatists classify the design into an obverse face displaying the ruler and a reverse face presenting regal and dynastic imagery.
The coin's obverse features a left-facing bust presumed to be Mithridates II, styled with a long beard, wavy hair terminating in curls, and an athletic diadem signifying triumph, all enclosed within a border of dots. The reverse depicts an unidentified seated figure turned toward the right upon a high-backed seat, clad in a cloak over a sleeved garment and trousers, alongside a diadem and a pointed headpiece with earflaps. Grasping a bow with its string oriented upward, the figure is accompanied by a Greek legend proclaiming Great King Arsaces.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 5
- 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 began minting coins only after the establishment of their empire in the third century B.C., heavily patterning their currency on that of the conquered Seleucid Empire. This influence is reflected in the reverse design, where the seated archer adopts a posture derived from Seleucid coinage portraying Apollo. Rather than naming Mithridates II, the inscription cites Arsaces I, the empire's founder who ruled around 247 to 217 B.C. Scholars suggest this inscription, standard across most Parthian issues, may reference the royal dynasty, depict Arsaces himself, or indicate that 'Arsaces' functioned as a general throne name or title for Parthian kings.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2953: Thickness 0.25 cm., Diameter 2.3 cm · The Met 99.35.2954: Thickness 0.25 cm., Diameter 1.85 cm
Design
- Obverse
- A left-facing bust of the king with a long beard, wavy hair ending in curls, and a diadem, encircled by a border of dots.
- Reverse
- A man seated facing right on a high-backed throne, dressed in trousers and sleeves beneath a cloak, wearing a diadem and a pointed hat with earflaps, and holding a bow with the bowstring turned upward, encircled by a Greek inscription.
- Inscription (as read by the museum)
- of great king Arsaces the renowned
Identification
- Issuing state
- Parthian Empire
- Museum accession numbers
- 99.35.2953, 99.35.2954
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Mithridates II
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. 121–91 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.
- This entry combines 2 Met specimens catalogued with the same description; individual specimens may differ in weight and die.