Lot 335
Phraates I (168-164 BC) through to Mithradates I (164-132 BC), Period 165-148 BC, Silver Drachm, 3.83g, 12h. Phraates I (168-164 BC) through to Mithradates I (164-132 BC), Period 165-148 BC, Silver Drachm, 3.83g, 12h. Diademed bust left in bashlyk, wearing single turn torque, dotted border. Rev. Archer seated right on omphalos,three-line inscription ??S???OS ??G???Y ??S???Y, monogram OP in exergue (S 10 var, uncertain mint). About very fine. Very rare.
In his above listed book on the coinage and history of Parthian, Shore assumes that the exergual monogram OP on this very rare output represents the Seleucid date 170 (SEM), that is, 143/2 BC. He then suggests that concurrently with his later issues, Mithradates I probably continued to coin the bashlyk type Drachms at some eastern mint cities of his empire. However, given that the final beardless and bashlyk type Drachms from Ecbatana (see lot 338) were minted soon after Mithradates annexed the two satrapies of Media Magna and Atropatene in late summer – early autumn 148 BC, reading OP as 170 SEM may be ruled out.
|
| |
| Realized $1,053 |
