Newp: Parthian Drachm

Zohar

As noted by LordM, I did own one a while back. I am not crazy about the Parthian designs yet this one has a killer eye appeal and sharpness on both obverse bust and reverse archer, and will be my Parthian type specimen for my undefined theme. Took quick and dirty images yet will try to improve.

PARTHIAN KINGDOM. Pacorus (Vologases III ca. AD 78-120). AR drachm (3.79 gm). Ecbatana mint. Obv: Diademed and draped bust of Pacorus left. Rev: Archer (Arsaces I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Beautifully toned. NGC MS* 4/5, 5/5.

NiceCurrency

EVillageProwler

This reminds me of a song:

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio,
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson.
Jolting Joe has left and gone away,
Hey hey hey.

(Nice coin though!)

Zohar

LINK

Weiss

That's neat. One of my very first coins, and certainly my first ancient, was this Drachm under Orodes II, approximately 100 CE, from the semi-independent Parthian state of Elymais. I got this when I was about 5 years old. That would have been around 1974:

harasha

Collected Sasanid for a while, but never owned a Parthian.

Zohar

Weiss - missed you by a year. I was 4..

lordmarcovan

Nicely done, Z.

It was a very nice Parthian I bought from you a while back (NGC AU, as I recall), bit this is even nicer.

I agree that their designs were not quite as aesthetically pleasing as some other ancient coin categories, but interesting enough, and you might grow to appreciate them more over time.

Like you, I've just decided to foray into the Greek and other non-Roman ancients, and have yet to settle on a theme.

Unlike you, I'll be on a much smaller budget, so while we're all expecting some continued eyecandy from your direction, it will be interesting to see what I can scrounge up with my limited means.

I look forward to seeing both of us develop. If your established track record with talers is any indicator, your ancient collection is going to be a sight to see.

Zohar

LordM - Its the passion, not the budget. We both enjoy this for what it is, a hobby, and knowledge sharing. For me, the reasoning for the increased allocation is 1) The challenge of finding the higher grade pieces for a theme set 2) Diversification of my savings from paper assets. However, what truly trumps both is the hobby itself.

Do you still have your Parthian to share? I forgot that you took one.

marcmoish

my kids would say way cool to that one for sure!!

STLNATS

Very nice Vologases III drachm. A similar Sellwood 78 type was one of my first really nice ancients.

It's been few years since I looked at the series, but I am puzzled by the attribution. Over the years, attributions of some Parthian coins have been moving targets, mostly because they often don't have personal names, but my understanding is that this type is attributed to Vologases III (both Sellwood and Shore) as well as Parthia.com which is usually good about incorporating the latest accepted research in their listings. The portrait looks nothing like those on coins of his rival Pacorus (I assume they mean the II) which are typically either clean shaven or sporting a short beard usually with a rounded headdress. The dates for Vol III are generally accepted to be 105-147. I don't see a reference number on the slab so any notion about the basis/source of this attribution? Thanks.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Do you still have your Parthian to share? I forgot that you took one. >>

Alas, it seems my picture of it is gone (and yours, too, from your old BST thread).

I think Aethelred or Savoyspecial ended up with that one.

Zohar

<< <i>The dates for Vol III are generally accepted to be 105-147. I don't see a reference number on the slab so any notion about the basis/source of this attribution? Thanks. >>



From my limited research it is Vologases III

nicholasz219

I have been looking to purchase both a nice representative Sassanian and Parthian piece for my collection. It may end up being the first of many or just a sole example of each. Josh had a nice one at CICF but it was so late in the day and I really hadn't seen or done any comparison with any other pieces that I walked out without buying one that day. I was hoping to circle back to Josh later in the week but once I looked at the damage done financially that day I had to beg off.

Now I am mad I didn't just spend the extra money right then and bring it home before prudence and belated frugality stopped me.

Like I told Josh that day Ellie calls these the "men with hats" coins, lol.