DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45399#0036
26
NUMISMATA ORIENTALIA.
Plate I. 3.
I. 4.
I. 5.
Obv. Similar.
Rev. BASIAEQS METAAOY AP^AKOY. Same type.
Drachm. Dr. Imhoof-Blumer. Wt. 54.
Obv. Similar.
Rev. Same inscr. and type. At feet of king, torch.
Drachm. B.M. Wt. 63-3.
Obv. Similar.
Rev. Same inscr. and type.
Obol. B.M. Wt. 9-4
Varieties of No. 3 :—In field 1. os rev. 0 (B.M.). In ex. of rev. m (P.O.).
I have not divided the coins which I attribute to Tiridates from those which I give to
Arsaces, because it is impossible to separate finally the former from the latter class. The
portrait presented on all five coins is that of the founder of the dynasty; but it is scarcely
to be believed that the first Arsaces should, in his short reign of two years, have adopted on
his coins first the title of King, and then that of Great King. As it was Tiridates who
first extended the bounds of the Parthian Empire beyond the limits of Parthia proper, and
met the Kings of Syria in open battle, I regard it as almost certain that Nos. 3, 4 and 5 of
the plate were issued by him, and that he retained from a motive of respect his brother’s
portrait on all his coins. It is indeed by no means impossible that No. 2 may also have
been struck by Tiridates, and No. 1, which is of great rarity, may be the only coin issued by
Arsaces himself. But certainty is not attainable in this as in many other questions of
Parthian numismatics.
Arsaces III. Artabanvs I.
Plate I. 6.
Obv. Head of Artabanus 1. diademed : border of reels and beads.
Rev. BA£IAEQ£ METAAOY APSAKOY. Arsaces seated r. on omphalos.
Drachm. B.M. Wt. 55-6.
7.
As last.
Obol. B.M. Wt. 9.
8.
Obv. As last.
Rev. Same inscr.
Horse r. trotting.
B.M. 2E -65.
The difficulty of arranging the coins of the first thirteen Arsacidae is proverbial. As I
have departed somewhat widely from the wisdom of my predecessors, I must give from time
to time a sketch of my reasons for my attributions. Therefore I devote two brief discussions,
one under Phraates I., one under Mithradates III., to the justification of the new order.
NUMISMATA ORIENTALIA.
Plate I. 3.
I. 4.
I. 5.
Obv. Similar.
Rev. BASIAEQS METAAOY AP^AKOY. Same type.
Drachm. Dr. Imhoof-Blumer. Wt. 54.
Obv. Similar.
Rev. Same inscr. and type. At feet of king, torch.
Drachm. B.M. Wt. 63-3.
Obv. Similar.
Rev. Same inscr. and type.
Obol. B.M. Wt. 9-4
Varieties of No. 3 :—In field 1. os rev. 0 (B.M.). In ex. of rev. m (P.O.).
I have not divided the coins which I attribute to Tiridates from those which I give to
Arsaces, because it is impossible to separate finally the former from the latter class. The
portrait presented on all five coins is that of the founder of the dynasty; but it is scarcely
to be believed that the first Arsaces should, in his short reign of two years, have adopted on
his coins first the title of King, and then that of Great King. As it was Tiridates who
first extended the bounds of the Parthian Empire beyond the limits of Parthia proper, and
met the Kings of Syria in open battle, I regard it as almost certain that Nos. 3, 4 and 5 of
the plate were issued by him, and that he retained from a motive of respect his brother’s
portrait on all his coins. It is indeed by no means impossible that No. 2 may also have
been struck by Tiridates, and No. 1, which is of great rarity, may be the only coin issued by
Arsaces himself. But certainty is not attainable in this as in many other questions of
Parthian numismatics.
Arsaces III. Artabanvs I.
Plate I. 6.
Obv. Head of Artabanus 1. diademed : border of reels and beads.
Rev. BA£IAEQ£ METAAOY APSAKOY. Arsaces seated r. on omphalos.
Drachm. B.M. Wt. 55-6.
7.
As last.
Obol. B.M. Wt. 9.
8.
Obv. As last.
Rev. Same inscr.
Horse r. trotting.
B.M. 2E -65.
The difficulty of arranging the coins of the first thirteen Arsacidae is proverbial. As I
have departed somewhat widely from the wisdom of my predecessors, I must give from time
to time a sketch of my reasons for my attributions. Therefore I devote two brief discussions,
one under Phraates I., one under Mithradates III., to the justification of the new order.