Parthian tetradrachm of Vologases V, ca. 212–213 CE
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 212–213 CE
Issuing entity
Parthian EmpireThis silver tetradrachm was produced under the authority of the Parthian king Vologases V. The obverse features a left-facing bust, probably representing the monarch himself, encircled by a border of dots. The ruler sports an elongated beard marked by vertical lines, a necklace, and a domed tiara with earflaps bound by a diadem. His prominent eye is depicted as a raised dot situated between two heavy lines that form his eyelids.
The reverse displays a seated male figure facing left, identified as Gotarzes, receiving an outstretched diadem from the standing goddess Tyche, who faces right and holds a cornucopia. Above them are Greek numerals dating the piece to Seleucid year 524, corresponding to A.D. 212–13. Surrounding the imagery is a partially legible Greek royal inscription honoring King 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
The coin was manufactured at the mint of Seleucia-on-the-Tigris near modern Baghdad. Parthian forces took control of Seleucia in 141 B.C., yet the workshop remained distinctive as the only mint in the Parthian Empire that continued issuing large tetradrachms up to the conclusion of the empire. Furthermore, the coins produced at this facility regularly featured visual designs that diverged from typical Parthian currency.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Museum specimens
- The Met 99.35.2964: Thickness 0.41 cm, Diameter 2.52 cm
Design
- Obverse
- A left-facing royal bust, probably representing Vologases, bordered by a circle of dots. The king wears a necklace, an earflapped domed tiara secured with a tied diadem, and displays a long beard shaped with vertical lines. His large eye consists of a raised dot set between two thick eyelid lines.
- Reverse
- A seated man facing left, identified as Gotarzes, attended by the goddess Tyche facing right with a cornucopia and presenting a diadem with her outstretched hand. Above the figures are the Greek letters ΔKΦ, and around the scene is a Greek inscription running off the flan.
- Inscription (as read by the museum)
- ΔKΦ; "of the king of kings Arsaces the generous, just, renowned and Greek-loving."
Identification
- Issuing state
- Parthian Empire
- Museum accession numbers
- 99.35.2964
- Issuer (museum attribution)
- Vologases V
- Reign as given by the museum
- ca. A.D. 208–228
- 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.