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Possibly Elymais. Arsacid dynasty. Osroes (1st quarter of 2nd century A.D.). Probably Parthia. Osroes I (109-129 A.D.).
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van't Haaff 15.3.1-1; de Morgan --; BMC -- Sear GICV --; Alram --
AE (Elymaean) obol or (Parthian) chalkous, 1.91 g., 12.22 mm. max., 0°
Obv: Bust facing left, with long beard and hair dressed in Parthian fashion, with a large tuft behind the face extending to the back of the head, topped by a large tuft bound with a diadem, its tips streaming behind; pellet border.
Rev: Diademed female bust (Tyche, if a Parthian emission) right; possible traces of inscription (date) to right; no border.
Van't Haaff recognized that "the attribution of Type 15 coins has been controversial" and notes that de Morgan, Le Rider and Alram have posited that they are issues of Osroes I of Parthia. Hoover agrees with these scholars, "[d]espite their appearance in the French excavations of Susa." He notes a stylistic affinity between them and Sellwood Type 80. This coin apparently appeared in association with Elymaean bronze coins in a commercial hoard, and not in the French excavations referred to by Hoover. Bell retains these emissions in the Elymaean series, but questions whether there was a separate Elymaean king Osroes. Rezakhani tentatively concludes that the Elymaean and Parthian Osroes are in fact the same person.
Attribution assistance courtesy of Robert L3 (http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=112957.0;topicseen).
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