Questions About A Parthian Drachm - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 948
Spence Moderator United States 34428 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 4:18 pm Hi. I have a few Parthian drachms, but don't know this area of numismatics that well. I will point out now that while I don't have either Sellwood's or Shore's books, I have spent some time learning at http://www.parthia.com. I just picked up a couple more from Agora--I'm hoping for some guidance from our experts on CCF. The specific questions that I have about the coin posted below are: 1. It was attributed as Sellwood 31.5, which seems to make sense to me in looking at other examples. Most variations of 31.5 have six-pointed stars on the tiara, although one has seven. My coin seems to have more like six and a half. What do you folks think--better to call it six or seven? 2. Also, I realize that this was a long time ago and so the historical records are likely a little fuzzy, but what would be the potential timing on the minting of this coin? Is it 80-77 BC (as one label said in the flip), 87-79 BC (as the agora label said in the flip), or 90 to 80 BC (as it says on parthia.com)? If this was your coin, what date range would you pick? 3. Finally, I'm not a huge fan of toning (more neutral than anything) but I am definitely thinking that stripping off the toning would be a bad idea. You agree? thanks for the input! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 4:23 pm This is Bob's area I don't know enough to answer your first two questions. On you last question,I would not try to remove the toning. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34428 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 4:32 pm Ok yep thanks Ron--that is what I was thinking. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 4:44 pm For me the toning gives the coin something... A lovely looking coin Spence.. Saludos Paul Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 5:14 pm Nice coin, Dave. I think that calling it a Sellwood 31.5/Shore 122 variant (7-pointed star instead of 6) is fine. Sellwood listed Orodes I as c.90-80 BC. Shore had him at 90-77 BC. In 2000, Dr. G.R.F. Assar changed the attribution of Sellwood 31's to Mithradates III, and dates him as c. 87/6-79/8 BC. For more on this, you can see his "Recent Studies in Parthian History" here: http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Histo...thian-st.htm Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34428 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 5:21 pm @palouche, glad you like it! @bob, ok perfect thanks for the info and the great link. Just what I needed! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Edited by Spence 10/09/2016 5:22 pm Report this Post to the Staff
CGCoins Pillar of the Community United States 797 Posts	Posted 10/09/2016 5:28 pm That is one gorgeous coin, the toning really adds that extra bit. The reverse is a well struck and centered one as well! Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 948

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