E-Auction 47 Lot 298

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E-Auction 47 Lot 298

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28 COINS. THE PARTHIAN KINGDOM. 23 silver drachms and 5 Æ representing 14 different kings.

14 different kings are represented with silver drachms, some with various portrait styles, ranging from 191 B.C. - A.D. 228: Mithradates I, Mithradates II, Unknown King (Arsakes XVI), Gotarzes I, Orodes II, Phraates IV, Artabanus II, Vardanes I, Vonones II (Meherdates, Usurper?), Artabanus III, Vologases III, Parthamaspates, Osroes II, and Vologases VI.

Grades average Very Fine to Extremely Fine, all with excellent portraits. Many of the drachms are EF. The Æ coins are pleasing and interesting. The holders include the collector's attributions, weights, grades, and sources. Pat purchased the majority from Mehrdad Sadigh, a prominent Iranian dealer active at the time he was collecting, and a few from other dealers including Tom Walker and Davissons.

(28 coins) Lot sold as is, no returns.

The Zabel Collection.

 

Fred B. Shore was a numismatist, dealer and friend throughout our early years dealing in coins. I recommend his “Parthian Coins & History: Ten Dragons Against Rome” ((Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., 1993). That, along with David Sellwood’s “An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia, Second Edition” (Spink, London, Pardy & Sons Ltd., 1980) provide a fascinating entre into the world of the Parthians. Fred's book was particularly helpful as I drafted these notes.

Circa 247 B.C. Arsakes, first king of Parthia and founder of the dynasty, led his small tribe of Central Asian nomads into the eastern frontier of the remains of Alexander’s great empire to carve out a kingdom. The predominant theory sees them as part of the stream of barbarian invasions sweeping down out of Central Asia in this period to conquer the civilized nations of Iran, India and the West, and most likely as descended from Scythian tribes. They are fascinating for several reasons. Alone among civilized nations, the Parthian kingdom stood up to Roman legions at the peak of their power and often emerged victorious, utilizing their army of horse-archers, each unit or “dragon” consisting of one thousand horsemen. But most important to us is the remarkable coinage they developed with its unique combination of Greek and nomadic art, expressing their proud and independent nature, and their gallantry in war.

Pat Zabel used his good eye to put together a collection emphasizing quality and including many scarce types. Happily, Parthian coinage is also very affordable. This group is generally high grade with nice surfaces and beautiful old toning. Purchase this as a good starter collection along with the Shore and/or Sellwood references and you will be well on your way to forming a satisfying collection. Research continues to add to the knowledge on this fascinating series. (MD)

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