Parthian drachm of Phraates IV, ca. 38–2 BCE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 38–2 BCE
Issuing entity
Parthian EmpireThis silver drachm was struck under the Parthian ruler Phraates IV, who reigned from approximately 38 to 2 B.C. The coin originates from Iran, featuring a monogram that may indicate production at the mint of Ecbatana. The obverse displays a left-facing bust of a king, probably Phraates IV himself, sporting curly hair, a pointed beard, and a diadem representing victory. Positioned before his forehead are a stair and a crescent, while behind his head stands a bird upon a groundline holding a wreath in its beak, with the entire scene encircled by a dotted border.
The reverse depicts an unidentified seated figure facing right on a high-backed throne, perhaps an idealized Parthian king shown as an archer. Dressed in sleeves, trousers, a cloak, an earflapped hat, and a diadem, he holds a bow with the string directed upwards. The image exhibits marked stylization and is framed by a Greek inscription reading "of the king of kings Arsaces the generous, just, renowned and Greek-loving."
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
Parthian coins regularly incorporated traditional dynastic representations and stylized portraiture. Although issued during the reign of Phraates IV, this coin's inscription references Arsaces I, who governed around 247–217 B.C., a customary practice that either commemorated the imperial founder, signified Arsaces as an imperial title, or depicted the founder directly as the enthroned archer. This archer figure shows noticeable stylization, diverging from earlier Parthian issues that were modeled on images of Apollo from early Seleucid coinage. The obverse portrait similarly displays stylized treatments in its schematic hair and beard.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2957: Thickness 0.23 cm, Diameter 1.98 cm
Design
- Obverse
- A left-facing bust of a king, probably Phraates IV, wearing a diadem, with curly hair and a pointed beard. A stair and a crescent appear before his forehead, while a bird holding a wreath in its mouth rests on a groundline behind his head, all bordered by dots.
- Reverse
- An unidentified seated man facing right on a high-backed throne, holding a bow with the bowstring turned upward. He is dressed in trousers and sleeves beneath a cloak, along with a diadem and a hat with earflaps. In front of him is a monogram possibly consisting of the Greek letters A and T, surrounded by a Greek inscription.
- Inscription (as read by the museum)
- "of the king of kings Arsaces the generous, just, renowned and Greek-loving"
Identification
- Issuing state
- Parthian Empire
- Museum accession numbers
- 99.35.2957
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Phraates IV
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. 38–2 B.C.
- Mint (as stated by the museum)
- Ecbatana (uncertain)
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.