KINGS OF PARTHIA. Phraates IV, circa 38-2 BC. Tetradrachm (Billon, 30 mm, 9.91 g, 12 h), Seleukeia on the Tigris, SE 288, month of Artemisios = April, 24 BC. Diademed and draped bust of Phraates IV to left, wearing torque ending in sea-horse. Rev. [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ - ΑΡΣΑΚΟY / ΕYΕΡΓΕΤΟY - ΔΙΚΑΙΟY - ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ / ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Phraates enthroned right, receiving palm from Tyche standing left, holding cornucopiae; above to right, crescent; in exergue, H[ΠC] APTEMI. Sellwood 51.32. Shore 272 var. (date). Sunrise -. Traces of overstriking. Hairline flan flaws and faint Greek graffito on the obverse , otherwise, very fine.


This coin was overstruck on a tetradrachm of Tiridates, Shore 55.7-9, a type known to have been struck at Seleukeia from March to May, 27 BC, with the word AYTOKPATΩP perfecly legible in the exergue.