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View: Obverse
Tetradrachm of Kingdom of Parthia with bust of Mithradates II
Greek
Hellenistic Period
123–88/7 B.C.
Mint: Parthia (Kingdom), Seleukeia-on-the-Tigris (Babylonia)
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Diameter: 31 mm. Weight: 15.70 gm.
Credit Line
Anonymous gift in memory of Zoë Wilbour (1864–1885)
Accession Number35.178
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsNumismatics – Coins
Catalogue Raisonné
Brett, Greek Coins (MFA), no. 2216.
DescriptionObverse: Bust of Mithradates II to left with long pointed beard, diadem with long ends, and cuirass.
Border of dots.
Reverse: Arsakes I, in military dress, seated right on omphalos and holding bow.
In field at right, palm-branch.
Inscription in Greek at left, above, at right, and below.
Struck under Mithradates II (123-88/7 B.C.).
Border of dots.
Reverse: Arsakes I, in military dress, seated right on omphalos and holding bow.
In field at right, palm-branch.
Inscription in Greek at left, above, at right, and below.
Struck under Mithradates II (123-88/7 B.C.).
ProvenanceSaid to have come from a hoard found near Bagdad; by 1926: with Ars Classica, 31 Quai du Mont-Blanc and Naville & Cie., 6 & 8 rue Pécolat, Geneva, Switzerland (Naville auction 12, October 18-23, Hôtel Schweizerhof, Lucerne, Switzerland, lot 2172 [as Dr. Adler Collection, Bagdad]); by date unknown: U.S. Private Collection; April 4, 1935: Anonymous gift to MFA in memory of Zoë Wilbour (1864–1885)