Parthian drachm of Phraates III, ca. 70–57 BCE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 70–57 BCE
Issuing entity
Parthian EmpireThis silver drachm was issued under the Parthian king Phraates III, who ruled from approximately 70 to 57 B.C. The coin exemplifies imperial Parthian currency, drawing upon visual conventions and Greek epigraphy that were incorporated after the Parthians conquered the territories of the Seleucid Empire.
The obverse features a left-facing bust of a king with a long beard, probably representing Phraates III. He is depicted wearing a Greek diadem tied over a domed royal tiara with earflaps, decorated with dotted semicircles encircling a flame and crowned by eight converging horned beasts, perhaps goats or stags. On the reverse, an unidentified seated man, perhaps an idealized monarch or archer, sits on a high-backed throne facing right. He holds a bow with its string turned upward and is framed by a Greek royal inscription alongside a monogram over a dot that may denote the mint of Old Nisa.
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 model their coin designs on Seleucid prototypes, including borrowing the seated archer posture from Seleucid depictions of Apollo. Like most Parthian issues, the inscription refers to the empire's founder, Arsaces I (reigned ca. 247–217 B.C.), rather than Phraates III. This legend may signify the royal dynasty, indicate that the archer portrays Arsaces I himself, or reflect the adoption of 'Arsaces' as a standard throne title by all Parthian monarchs.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2955: Thickness 0.25 cm., Diameter 2.09 cm
Design
- Obverse
- A left-facing bust of a bearded king, probably Phraates III, encircled by a border of dots. He wears a domed tiara with earflaps, bound by a diadem. The tiara is ornamented with three semicircular dotted bands surrounding a flame and is topped by eight converging horned creatures, perhaps goats or stags.
- Reverse
- A seated man facing right on a high-backed throne, dressed in a cloak, sleeves, trousers, laced heeled boots, and a pointed hat with earflaps and a diadem. He holds a bow with the string facing upward. Before him is a monogram over a dot, possibly combining the Greek letters M and T, which may suggest the mint of Old Nisa. A Greek inscription surrounds the scene.
- Inscription (as read by the museum)
- of king of kings Arsaces the generous, renowned and Greek-loving
Identification
- Issuing state
- Parthian Empire
- Museum accession numbers
- 99.35.2955
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Phraates III
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. 70–57 B.C.
- Mint (as stated by the museum)
- Old Nisa (possible)
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.