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Artabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)

ΑΡΤΑΝΑΝΟΣ

When Ardashir I defeated the Parthian army and killed Artabanus IV at the battle of Hormizdgan in A.D. 224, it signaled the end of the Parthian empire although elements of the Parthian army continued opposition until A.D. 227.

The coins of Artabanus IV were erroneously attributed to "Artavasdes" by Gardner, Petrowicz and Wroth due to a faulty translation of the Parthian Aramaic inscription.

See the article, " Identifying Look-alike Parthian Bronzes : Differentiating the Bronze Coins of Osroes II (c. A.D. 190) and Artabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)."

See the genealogy chart.

Click here to view the inscriptions on this king's coins.


Coins Attributed to Artabanus IV

The attributions and cataloging of Parthian coins used throughout this web site follow David Sellwood's An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia (1980, 2nd edition) for consistency. The few exceptions to this policy are explained here.

Click on coin images to enlarge:

Sellwood Type 89

ObverseArtabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)
AR Drachm, 3.55 g
Mint/ Ecbatana, undated
Obv/ bust left, medium forked beard, wearing tiara with ear flaps, pellets on stalks on crest, vertical line of pellets on stalks on side, behind head Pahlavi legend ('rtbnw); border of dots
Rev/ archer seated right on throne, holding bow; first line of legend Pahlavi, remainder blundered Greek
Photo/ by permission Henri Delger, Old Roman Coins for Special Collectors
- Sellwood 89.1
- Shore 464

PDC 8210Artabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)
AR Drachm, 3.7 g
Mint/ Ecbatana, undated
Obv/ bust left, medium forked beard, wearing tiara with ear flaps, pellets on stalks on crest, vertical line of pellets on stalks on side, behind head Pahlavi legend ('rtbnw); border of dots
Rev/ archer seated right on throne, holding bow; first line of legend Pahlavi, remainder blundered Greek
Photo/ by permission Sigma Ancient Coins
- Sellwood 89.1

PDC 5812Artabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)
AR Drachm, 3.7 g
Mint/ Ecbatana, undated
Obv/ bust left, medium forked beard, wearing tiara with ear flaps, pellets on stalks on crest, vertical line of pellets on stalks on side, behind head Pahlavi legend ('rtbnw); border of dots
Rev/ archer seated right on throne, holding bow; first line of legend Pahlavi, remainder blundered Greek; monogram has crossed legs
Photo/ by permission Rian Thum
- Sellwood 89.3


For Sellwood Type 89.4, see the coins now attributed to Tiridates III

  • The coins of Tiridates III were attributed to Artabanus IV by Sellwood (1980) but with an uncertain Parthian Aramaic inscription. In his article titled "The End of the Parthian Dynasty" (Spink Numismatic Circular 98, 1990, p. 157), Sellwood corrected the reading to tr'dt (= Tiridates) based on the subsequent appearance of other coins which confirmed the inscription. 

Sellwood Type 90

PDC 6768Artabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)
AR Drachm
Mint/ Ecbatana, undated
Obv/ bust left, medium forked beard, wearing tiara with ear flaps, pellets on stalks round crest, star on side; no Pahlavi legend
Rev/ archer seated right on throne, holding bow; first line of legend Pahlavi, remainder blundered Greek
Photo/ by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 90.1
- Shore 467

PDC 11505Artabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)
AR Drachm, 3.79 g
Mint/ Ecbatana, undated
Obv/ bust left, medium forked beard, wearing tiara with ear flaps, pellets on stalks round crest, spiral of dots on side; no Pahlavi legend
Rev/ archer seated right on throne, holding bow; first line of legend Pahlavi, remainder blundered Greek
Note/ only one example known with this tiara
Photo/ by permission Classical Numismatic Group (CNG 58, lot 800)
- Sellwood 90.1 variant (spiral on tiara)

No image availableArtabanus IV (c. A.D. 216 - 224)
AE Chalkous, 1.11 g, 8 mm
Mint/ Ecbatana, undated
Obv/ bust left, medium forked beard, wearing tiara with ear flaps, pellets on stalks round crest, star on side
Rev/ horned sea monster left; square dotted border
- Sellwood 90.2
- Shore 642 (this coin)
 

This page last updated 13 Mar 2021

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