Tetradrachm of
Phraates IV
Tetradrachm of
Phraates IV
The most characteristic coin of the Parthians is the silver drachm of Attic weight(about 4 grams). These coins were the standard coin for trade and large transactions and were supplemented by a bronze coinage used at the local level. The Parthians also produced other denominations in silver, most commonly the tetradrachm, minted almost exclusively at Seleucia, and various fractions of the drachm, which were minted only during the earlier reigns and only in small numbers. By far the most common type for Parthian drachms was the ruler's portrait facing left on the obverse and a seated archer on the reverse, which is traditionally considered a representation of Arsaces I, surrounded by an inscription in Greek. This design varies- at times the portrait faces right, or is a frontal view, or the obverse includes various symbols, mint marks or an abbreviated form of the king's name in Parthian script. In a few cases the standard reverse design of the drachm is altered- most notably by Mithradates I on a few of his coins, and by Vonones I, but in most cases the main variations of the reverse involve the legend, mint marks, and the seat upon which the archer is depicted. The legends are mainly Greek, which tended to become fixed after the reign of Orodes II, and began a long deterioration, with increasing blunders and decreasing legibility. Aramaic does appear, mainly at the Iranian mints, and, in the later coins, a line of Pahlevi was added to the by-then unintelligible Greek legend.
