Parthian tetradrachm of Gotarzes II, ca. 49–50 CE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 49–50 CE
Issuing entity
Parthian EmpireThis silver tetradrachm was produced under the Parthian king Gotarzes II, who governed from around A.D. 40 to 51. Manufactured at the mint of Seleucia-on-the-Tigris, situated close to present-day Baghdad, the coin is dated by Greek numerals to the Seleucid year 361, corresponding to A.D. 49–50, with an inscription marking the month of Artemisios, which aligns with April. Unlike most Parthian mintages, Seleucia-on-the-Tigris maintained the production of these substantial silver tetradrachms with distinctive designs until the empire collapsed.
The obverse presents a royal portrait facing left, probably portraying Gotarzes II, adorned with a necklace and a diadem worn as a token of triumph. His hair is styled in dotted curls alongside a pointed beard, framed by a beaded border. On the reverse, the king sits rightward on a high-backed throne in trousers and a diadem. Facing him stands the goddess Tyche, holding a cornucopia and extending a diadem toward him. A Greek inscription borders the design, naming the founding ruler Arsaces.
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
Captured by Parthian forces in 141 B.C., Seleucia-on-the-Tigris was unique as the sole mint in the empire that continued producing large silver tetradrachms featuring non-standard imagery until the empire ended. Following a standard Parthian practice, the coin's legend does not name the reigning monarch Gotarzes II, but instead honors Arsaces I, the founder of the empire who ruled around 247 to 217 B.C. This recurring naming convention might have signaled the ruling dynasty, perhaps referenced Arsaces through the seated archer figure, or reflected the adoption of Arsaces as a universal royal title or throne name by Parthian kings.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2958: Thickness 0.38 cm., Diameter 2.78 cm
Design
- Obverse
- A left-facing bust of a king, probably Gotarzes II, featuring a pointed beard and curly hair represented by rows of dots. He wears a necklace and a diadem as an emblem of victory, all enclosed within a border of dots.
- Reverse
- A bearded man wearing trousers and a diadem, representing Gotarzes, sits facing right on a high-backed throne. Before him, the goddess Tyche stands facing left, bearing a cornucopia in her left hand and offering a diadem in her right. The scene is bordered by Greek text, including date letters AΞT above, month letters APTEMI below, and a royal inscription around the figures.
- 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
- 99.35.2958
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Gotarzes II
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. A.D. 40–51
- Mint (as stated by the museum)
- Seleucia-on-the-Tigris
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.