Nice little Artabanos Chalkous

[Pharsalos]

I was recently lucky to pick up this interesting piece.

Artabanos III AE Chalkous, 10-38 CE
Diameter: 12 mm Weight: 1.45 grams Die axis: 12h
Obverse: Diademed bust to left.
Reverse: King on horseback to right.
Mint: Ekbatana (Hamadan, Iran)

The coin's strike is great for the type, and it also has an nice provenance. The coin was lot 249 in Stack's 1946 sale of the Charles H Deetz collection.

The attribution history is typical of Parthian coins; the 1946 sale listed this as Gotarzes, the NGC tag says Artabanos IV, formerly Artabanos II. I believe the latest attribution is Artabanos III, but I'm not sure about this.

[Schatz]

Yes, Pharsalos,

a lovely bronze of unusually good quality. You are right on all counts, its documented provenance makes it even better, and I would also think that it is a Sellw. 63.21, Artabanos II, or Artabanos III (Assar).

Lovely scoop,
Schatz

[Kamnaskires]

Nice pickup there, Pharsalos.  Well done.

[Pharsalos]

Thank you both for your kind comments!

[stevex6]

Wow, Pharsalos => congrats on scoring that cool Parthian chalkon addition (I love the reverse type)

I also have a pretty sweet Parthian chalkon example with a "non-archer" reverse ... in my coin's case, it has a Pegasus reverse (I think that it's awesome)

KINGS of PARTHIA. Sinatrukes.
Æ Tetrachalkon
93/2-70/69 BC
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 4.98 grams
Obverse: Ekbatana or Rhagai mint. Diademed and bust left, wearing tiara
Reverse: Pegasos flying right
Reference: Sellwood 33.8 or 33.10 (Gotarzes I); Sunrise –2; cf. Shore 118 (Gotarzes I)
Other: 12h … VF, green and brown surfaces
From the estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind. Ex Peus 415 (5 November 2015), lot 124

[Pharsalos]

Hi Steve P, thanks for sharing! That is a beautiful coin, the details both sides are so clear. Looks like a nice hefty flan too.

By the way, if you even have a passing interest in Parthian coins, you have to click the 'My Gallery' links under the two posters above. They both have amazing collections.

[stevex6]

Thanks for the tip ... I will check-out their wares tonight