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Unknown King (I) (c. 80 B.C.)

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

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Coins in the name of Arsaces
Attributed to an Unknown King (I) (c. 80 B.C.)

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 32

There are only two known examples of  tetradrachms for this king. One is in the American Numismatic Society coin cabinet and the second known example was sold by M&M Basel in 1966. While the ANS database lists two tetradrachms for this king, one is only similar in some respects and I have included with the tetradrachms of Orodes I due to its inscription.

PDC 4526 Unknown King I (80 B.C.)
AR Tetradrachm 15.240g 31mm 11h (PDC 4526)
Mint: Seleucia
Obv: bearded bust left wearing tiara (T32); circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; below bow, Greek letter Η; behind archer, Greek letter Α; in field right, palm branch; no border; six-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ
Note: only three known examples
Find spot: Gombad hoard (IGCH 1814)
Current collection: American Numismatic Society, 1966.150.3
Photo by Chris Hopkins
- Sellwood 32.1 [3 in db]
- ANS Cabinet, cf. 1966.150.3
- M&M Basel 32 (1966), cf. lot 164
Click here to help add this image Unknown King I (80 B.C.)
AR Drachm (PDC 28070)
Mint?
Obv: long-bearded bust left wearing tiara (T32); circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line (?) Greek inscription
- Sellwood 32.2 [0 in db]
PDC 5798 Unknown King I (80 B.C.)
AR Fourrée Drachm (PDC 5798)
Mint?
Obv: long-bearded bust left wearing tiara (T32); circular border of pellets
Rev: beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; seven-line Greek inscription = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ
Previous collection: Rian Thum
Photo by Rian Thum
- Sellwood 32.2 variant (fourrée; ΓΡ monogram) [1 in db]
- Rian Thum Sep 2000, lot 4 (this coin)


This page last updated 13 Mar 2021

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