Lot 308
Artabanus IV (c. AD 10-38), Silver Tetradrachm, 12.57g, 12h. Artabanus IV (c. AD 10-38), Silver Tetradrachm, 12.57g, 12h. Minted at Seleucia on the Tigris. Diademed and long bearded bust left, traces of flying Nike in front (mostly off the flan), ear and earring visible, spiral torque, year date ??? (334 SEM, AD 22/3) in front, dotted border. Rev. King enthroned left, receiving palm from Tyche holding sceptre, between them, kneeling man offering diadem, four-line inscription ??C???OC ??C???O? ??C???Y ?Y??G???Y, year date ??? divided by palm, month name mostly off the flan (probably Artemisios? May/June AD 23) (S 62.1(?); Sunrise 410). Good fine. Very rare. The diminutive kneeling figure on the reverse of this issue is, most probably, the Jewish rebel, Asinaeus (not, as Sellwood has suggested, Vonones I who had died before AD 20). Together with his brother, Anilaeus, he revolted from the Parthian satrap of Babylonia in AD 21/22 with great slaughter. Artabanus IV intervened and after making overtures to Asinaeus and Anilaeus, conferred on them the governorship of Babylonia. According to Josephus (Jewish Antiquities, 18.310-339), having summoned the brothers to an audience, Artabanus "was astonished at Asinaeus’ courage in action when he observed that he was quite short in outward appearance". For further reading see: Assar G.R.F., "Iran Under the Arsacids, 247 BC – AD 224/227", in B.R. Nelson (ed.), Numismatic Art of Persia. The Sunrise Collection. Part I: Ancient -650 BC to AD 650. Classical Numismatic Group, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and London, England (2011), 113-171 (at 137-140).
Estimated Value $2,200-UP.
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| Realized $1,872 |
