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Parthian Kingdom - Orodes II: 57-38 BC


Parthian Kingdom, Orodes II (57-38 BC), AR Drachm, c.40 BC, Susa Mint
(No legend)
Short-bearded, diademed, bust left, wearing pellet-ended torque, star before and crescent behind, no wart visible on forehead, circular border of pellets
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN | AP_ΣAKOY | EYEPΓETOY / ΔIKAIOY | EΠIΦANOYΣ / ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ
Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak, seated right on throne, bow in right hand
ΠA monogram / tau-rho in right field
19mm x 20mm, 3.05g
Sellwood 47.22
Ex Midwest "Coins of Christianity" Collection

Consignor notes and comments:

Parthia was home to a large population of the Diaspora, including Samaritans. The customs, history and prophecies of the Samaritans were shared with the religious leaders in Parthia. The main religion of Parthia was Zoroastrianism and Zoroastrian priests were most likely the "Wise Men" of the nativity story. These "wise men" were aware of the prophesied suffering Messiah, as shown by the tau-rho monograms on their coins and the discovery of the Star of Bethlehem.


Parthian Kingdom, Orodes II (57-38 BC), AR Drachm, c.40 BC, Susa Mint
(No legend)
Short-bearded, diademed, bust left, wearing pellet-ended torque, star before and crescent behind, no wart visible on forehead, circular border of pellets
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN | AP_ΣAKOY | EYEPΓETOY / ΔIKAIOY | EΠIΦANOYΣ / ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ
Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak, seated right on throne, bow in right hand
ΘE monogram / tau-rho in right field
18mm x 19mm, 3.13g
Sellwood 47.24 variant (ΘE above bow)
Ex Midwest "Coins of Christianity" Collection


Parthian Kingdom, Orodes II (57-38 BC), AR Drachm, c.40 BC, Susa Mint
(No legend)
Short-bearded, diademed, bust left, wearing pellet-ended torque, star before and crescent behind, no wart visible on forehead, circular border of pellets
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN | AP_ΣAKOY | EYEPΓETOY / ΔIKAIOY | EΠIΦANOYΣ / ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ
Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak, seated right on throne, bow in right hand
ΘE monogram / tau-rho in right field
17mm x 19mm, 3.56g
Sellwood 47.24 variant (ΘE above bow)
Ex Symbol of the Samaritan Messiah Collection


Parthian Kingdom, Orodes II (57-38 BC), AR Drachm, c.38 BC, Mithradatkart Mint
(No legend)
Short-bearded, diademed, bust left, wearing pellet-ended torque, beaded tunic with Messianic cross on shoulder, star before and crescent behind, no wart visible on forehead, circular border of pellets
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN | AP_ΣAKOY | EYEPΓETOY / ΔIKAIOY | EΠIΦANOYΣ / ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ
Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak, seated right on throne, bow in right hand, monogram below
19mm x 20mm, 2.91g
Sellwood 47.9 variant (tunic)
Ex Midwest "Coins of Christianity" Collection

Notes: During the Tannaic Period, Parthia is known as Babylon in the Talmud. Orodes II challenged Roman power and installed Mattathias Antigonus as the last king of Judaea in Jerusalem.