2236

Parthian Kingdom. Mithradates II, c. 123-91 BC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Parthian Kingdom. Mithradates II, c. 123-91 BC
Parthian Kingdom. Mithradates II, c. 123-91 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.68 g), Seleucia on the Tigris mint, struck c. 119-109 BC. Diademed bust left of Mithradates II. Reverse: Archer seated right on omphalos; behind, monogram; upright palm to right of legend. Sellwood 24.5; Shore 68; Nicely centered and well struck up on spacious flan. NGC graded About Uncirculated. .

The Parthians were the arch (or should we say archer?) enemies of Rome for several centuries. While the silver drachms are most often seen, tetradrachms and bronzes were also issued; there are no gold coins known of this kingdom, encompassing modern Iran and surrounding territories. Many different city-mints were employed, along with traveling military and court mints. Early silver tetradrachms were all very rare and generally in circulated condition until a sizable hoard was unearthed about 15 years ago. Today, this group has been dispersed throughout the world, and occurrences in the modern marketplace are seldom for these glorious, quasi-medallion, Hellenistic portrait coins .
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.

Provenance: Ex Millennia Sale, lot 60.