DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45399#0038
28
NUMISMATA ORIENTALTA.
I have adopted, after some hesitation, Dr. von Sallet’s opinion as to the unique tetra-
drachm, chiessy on the grounds of iconography. I do not think it can be disputed that is
this coin belong to any Parthian King, it must belong to him who issued the drachm No. 13,
which I shall presently prove to belong to Phraates. And it seems improbable that a piece
bearing the name Arsaces should belong to any but a Parthian King. The only other visible
possibility is, that it was issued by one of the Arsacid monarchs of Armenia ; but there is
no ground for Von Prokesch-Osten’s conjecture, who gives it to Demetrius II. of Syria.
If the piece be Parthian, it is quite exceptional, and must issue from a mint which, having
only just ceased to strike money for the Seleucid Kings, and falling into the power of the
Parthians, transferred type and style to the conqueror. Of the letters and monogram I can
give no account. I have above conjectured the mint letters which appear on drachms of this
King to represent Nissea, Tambrax, Rhagse, and Syrinx, with other uncertain cities.
The coins of Tiridates are fairly certain; so are those of Mithradates I. Between
these two Kings there intervene Artabanus I., Phraapates, and Phraates I. Now the
coins which precede Mithradates are marked off from those which sollow him by one clear
distinguishing mark; in the former class the King is always seated on the omphalos of
Apollo, in the latter always on a throne with four legs and a back. The legends also of the
former class are shorter and simpler. The pre-Mithradatic class of coins presents us with
three distinct types of heads (besides that appropriated to the first and second Arsaces) to
correspond to Artabanus, Phraapates, and Phraates. It only remains to settle which portrait
belongs to which King. The coin which bears the date of the Seleucid era 125, a date
which falls in the middle of the reign of Phraapates, leaves us no doubt as to the attri-
bution of the class of coins which bear the same head as appears on the dated coin (Plate I.
9-11). My attribution of the coins (12-16) to Phraates is supported by weighty reasons.
The fabric of these pieces is closely like the fabric of Mithradates’ coins; the hair of the
two Kings is alike. There are two reasons better still. With the coins which I give to
Phraates goes the earliest Parthian tetradrachm. Tetradrachms of Mithradates are not un-
common, and it is more reasonable to suppose that these coins were introduced by the pre-
decessor of Mithradates, and continued by him, rather than that they were introduced by
some earlier prince, and then for a time discontinued. Finally, the monograms and names of
mint cities which appear on the set of coins which I am discussing, are continued under
Mithradates. Only Mithradates and the King who issued these coins adopted the custom
of placing the name of the mint on the obverse of their pieces, behind the royal effigy;
therefore the conclusion is almost irresistible that Mithradates and the King who issued these
coins reigned consecutively; in other words, that these coins were issued by Phraates. Hitherto
they have usually been ascribed to Artabanus I.
The remaining portrait belongs to Artabanus.
If the series os coins be arranged as I have arranged them, and the eye be passed from
one to the other in regular order, a gradual development of style will be observed throughout.
NUMISMATA ORIENTALTA.
I have adopted, after some hesitation, Dr. von Sallet’s opinion as to the unique tetra-
drachm, chiessy on the grounds of iconography. I do not think it can be disputed that is
this coin belong to any Parthian King, it must belong to him who issued the drachm No. 13,
which I shall presently prove to belong to Phraates. And it seems improbable that a piece
bearing the name Arsaces should belong to any but a Parthian King. The only other visible
possibility is, that it was issued by one of the Arsacid monarchs of Armenia ; but there is
no ground for Von Prokesch-Osten’s conjecture, who gives it to Demetrius II. of Syria.
If the piece be Parthian, it is quite exceptional, and must issue from a mint which, having
only just ceased to strike money for the Seleucid Kings, and falling into the power of the
Parthians, transferred type and style to the conqueror. Of the letters and monogram I can
give no account. I have above conjectured the mint letters which appear on drachms of this
King to represent Nissea, Tambrax, Rhagse, and Syrinx, with other uncertain cities.
The coins of Tiridates are fairly certain; so are those of Mithradates I. Between
these two Kings there intervene Artabanus I., Phraapates, and Phraates I. Now the
coins which precede Mithradates are marked off from those which sollow him by one clear
distinguishing mark; in the former class the King is always seated on the omphalos of
Apollo, in the latter always on a throne with four legs and a back. The legends also of the
former class are shorter and simpler. The pre-Mithradatic class of coins presents us with
three distinct types of heads (besides that appropriated to the first and second Arsaces) to
correspond to Artabanus, Phraapates, and Phraates. It only remains to settle which portrait
belongs to which King. The coin which bears the date of the Seleucid era 125, a date
which falls in the middle of the reign of Phraapates, leaves us no doubt as to the attri-
bution of the class of coins which bear the same head as appears on the dated coin (Plate I.
9-11). My attribution of the coins (12-16) to Phraates is supported by weighty reasons.
The fabric of these pieces is closely like the fabric of Mithradates’ coins; the hair of the
two Kings is alike. There are two reasons better still. With the coins which I give to
Phraates goes the earliest Parthian tetradrachm. Tetradrachms of Mithradates are not un-
common, and it is more reasonable to suppose that these coins were introduced by the pre-
decessor of Mithradates, and continued by him, rather than that they were introduced by
some earlier prince, and then for a time discontinued. Finally, the monograms and names of
mint cities which appear on the set of coins which I am discussing, are continued under
Mithradates. Only Mithradates and the King who issued these coins adopted the custom
of placing the name of the mint on the obverse of their pieces, behind the royal effigy;
therefore the conclusion is almost irresistible that Mithradates and the King who issued these
coins reigned consecutively; in other words, that these coins were issued by Phraates. Hitherto
they have usually been ascribed to Artabanus I.
The remaining portrait belongs to Artabanus.
If the series os coins be arranged as I have arranged them, and the eye be passed from
one to the other in regular order, a gradual development of style will be observed throughout.