Lot 297
Orodes II (57-38 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 13.01g, 12h. Orodes II (57-38 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 13.01g, 12h. Overstruck on S41.1 Tetradrachm of Mithradates IV (58/7-55 BC) in 55/4 BC at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed and lightly bearded bust left, wearing griffin ended spiral torque, dotted border. Rev. King enthroned right, before him, Tyche kneeling left with sceptre in left hand, extending to king her right hand in submission, monogram above her head,seven-line inscription ??S???OS ??S???O? ??S???Y ?Y??G???Y ??????Y ???F???YS F????????S (S 45.6). Good fine. Very rare. This is an historically important coin, minted at the end of the Arsacid fraternal wars, involving the two brothers Mithradates IV and Orodes II. The S 45 output marks the capture of Seleucia on the Tigris after Surena, the valiant Parthian general and conqueror of Crassus at Carrhae in May 53 BC, led the forces loyal to Orodes and stormed the city in late 55 BC. After this victory, Orodes appears to have seized the entire type S 41 Tetradrachms of his brother and had them overstruck with his own dies. The coin in this lot has retained from the undertype, the Greek TOY (meaning, "who is") at the lower right edge of the flan on the reverse. This corresponds with the inscription on S 41.1 Tetradrachms which unprecedentedly include the personal name of the reigning monarch: ??S???OS ??S???Y ??Y ???KA?OYMENOY MITPA?ATOY F????????S (the coin of) King Arsaces, who is called Mithradates, Philhellene.
Estimated Value $3,200-UP.
|
| |
| Realized $3,803 |
