DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45399#0054
44
NUMISMATA ORIENTALIA.
with 288 Xanthicus. Count von Prokesch-Osten begins with 281 Peritius. Visconti has
published a coin which bears the same head at an earlier stage, and the date 276 Grorpiseus.
Other coins are known as late as 289 Hyperberetseus. On the copper coins 280 is the only
date. It seems clear that all these coins were issued by the same King, and the dates prove
that this King was Phraates IV. At first sight the type which appears on the copper pieces,
such as No. 17, a Janus head, not unlike that on the coins of Pome, might have seemed
more appropriate to Tiridates, his contemporary and rival. And is the figure who on No. 3
presents a wreath to the King be held to represent Roma rather than Pallas, one might be
disposed here also to see an allusion to the part played by the Pomans in putting forward
Tiridates. But a study of the dates of the tetradrachms which bear this type will soon show
that they must have been issued, not by Tiridates, but by Phraates. The date of the earliest
of these tetradrachms is, I believe, 284 Dsesius, and it was just about that period that, after
the ssight of Tiridates, Phraates began to court the good-will of the ruler of Pome.
Pmi.VATES IV. or a usurper.
Plate IV. 18. Obv. Head of a King 1. diad.; on forehead, wart.
Rev. BAVAEQS BAVAEQN APSAKOY EYEPTETOY AYTOKPATQ (sw) Eni-
OANOY^ 0IAEAAH NOV King seated r., before him a City 1., holding palm and
sceptre; date ETI£ AAI.
Tetradrachm. B.M. Wt. 181-3.
The date of this coin proves that it was minted during the reign of Phraates IV. The
head, however, is quite different from his, and closely resembles that on the coin (Pl. V. 1),
which is given to Orodes II. The title avroKpccTcop also is not assumed by Phraates on his
certain coins. I am therefore obliged to leave this piece uncertain. History gives us no
information as to the events of the Seleucid year 285 (28/27 B.c.), when it was struck.
Tiuedates II.
Plate IV. 19. Obv. Head of Tiridates 1. diad.; on forehead wart.
Rev. BAVAEQS BAVAEON APSAKOY EYEPTETOY AIKAIOY Eni<t>ANOY£
0IAEAAHNOV Tiridates seated 1., holding Nike and sceptre.
Tetradrachm. B.M. AVt. 231-6.
20. Obv. As last.
Rev. Same inscr. Tiridates seated r. on throne; before him City wearing mural crown,
holding palm and sceptre ; date AY£T.
Tetradrachm. P.O. AVt. 187*2.
21. Obv. As last.
Rev. Same inscr. Arsaces seated r.; in field
Drachm. B.M. AVt. 61-8.
NUMISMATA ORIENTALIA.
with 288 Xanthicus. Count von Prokesch-Osten begins with 281 Peritius. Visconti has
published a coin which bears the same head at an earlier stage, and the date 276 Grorpiseus.
Other coins are known as late as 289 Hyperberetseus. On the copper coins 280 is the only
date. It seems clear that all these coins were issued by the same King, and the dates prove
that this King was Phraates IV. At first sight the type which appears on the copper pieces,
such as No. 17, a Janus head, not unlike that on the coins of Pome, might have seemed
more appropriate to Tiridates, his contemporary and rival. And is the figure who on No. 3
presents a wreath to the King be held to represent Roma rather than Pallas, one might be
disposed here also to see an allusion to the part played by the Pomans in putting forward
Tiridates. But a study of the dates of the tetradrachms which bear this type will soon show
that they must have been issued, not by Tiridates, but by Phraates. The date of the earliest
of these tetradrachms is, I believe, 284 Dsesius, and it was just about that period that, after
the ssight of Tiridates, Phraates began to court the good-will of the ruler of Pome.
Pmi.VATES IV. or a usurper.
Plate IV. 18. Obv. Head of a King 1. diad.; on forehead, wart.
Rev. BAVAEQS BAVAEQN APSAKOY EYEPTETOY AYTOKPATQ (sw) Eni-
OANOY^ 0IAEAAH NOV King seated r., before him a City 1., holding palm and
sceptre; date ETI£ AAI.
Tetradrachm. B.M. Wt. 181-3.
The date of this coin proves that it was minted during the reign of Phraates IV. The
head, however, is quite different from his, and closely resembles that on the coin (Pl. V. 1),
which is given to Orodes II. The title avroKpccTcop also is not assumed by Phraates on his
certain coins. I am therefore obliged to leave this piece uncertain. History gives us no
information as to the events of the Seleucid year 285 (28/27 B.c.), when it was struck.
Tiuedates II.
Plate IV. 19. Obv. Head of Tiridates 1. diad.; on forehead wart.
Rev. BAVAEQS BAVAEON APSAKOY EYEPTETOY AIKAIOY Eni<t>ANOY£
0IAEAAHNOV Tiridates seated 1., holding Nike and sceptre.
Tetradrachm. B.M. AVt. 231-6.
20. Obv. As last.
Rev. Same inscr. Tiridates seated r. on throne; before him City wearing mural crown,
holding palm and sceptre ; date AY£T.
Tetradrachm. P.O. AVt. 187*2.
21. Obv. As last.
Rev. Same inscr. Arsaces seated r.; in field
Drachm. B.M. AVt. 61-8.