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Drachm - Phraates IV Mithradatkart
| Issuer | Parthian Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 38 BC - 2 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Reverse description | A beardless archer, identified as Arsakes I in the dynastic tradition, is seated right upon an omphalos throne, wearing a bashlyk (pointed cap) and a flowing cloak. He holds a strung bow in his right hand, the standard reverse type for Parthian drachms of this series. Below the bow appears a monogram, and behind the throne a single Greek letter varies by die — recorded variants include Ο, inverted Τ, a star, Β, Ξ, and Φ. A multi-line Greek inscription occupies the reverse field, though on many specimens it is partially or wholly blurred due to the irregular flan and worn dies. No border is present on the reverse. |
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| Additional information |
Phraates IV secured the Parthian throne by murdering his father Orodes II and, subsequently, thirty of his brothers. The Mithradatkart mint — likely situated in Media — issued coinage throughout his long reign, a period defined by his uneasy standoff with Rome following the catastrophic Parthian victory at Carrhae and the later failure of Mark Antony's 36 BC campaign. Phraates ultimately returned the Roman standards captured at Carrhae to Augustus in 20 BC, a diplomatic concession Augustus exploited for enormous propaganda value at home.
Sellwood 52.32–33 represents a late phase of his output, distinguished by subtle die details that specialists use to sequence the Mithradatkart issues across his four-decade reign.