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Elymais. Arsacid dynasty. Probably a contemporary regional counterfeit struck during the reign of Prince A (late 2nd to early 3rd centuries A.D.), or later.
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van't Haaff --; De Morgan --; BMC --; Sear GICV --; Alram --
AE unit (denomination undetermined), 2.51 g., 12.59 mm. max., 0°
Obv.: Bust facing left, side whiskers as double row of dots.
Rev.: Plain diadem of two bands with fine lines, pellet border.
The obverse bust most closely resembles Prince A (late 2nd to early 3rd centuries A.D.), van't Haaff 19.1.1-1A, whereas the reverse mirrors Phraates (early-mid 2nd century A.D.), van't Haaff 14.4.1-2). Due to the decades between these rulers, the coin is probably not a mule. The coins of Phraates may have remained in circulation during the reign of Prince A, and beyond. The coin is probably a contemporary regional counterfeit inspired by the Phraates reverse. However, the diadem on the reverse is a reference to sky god Bel, and the possibility that the coin is an unrecorded official coin, issued by Prince A with the revived iconography of Phraates, cannot be excluded.
Attribution assistance courtesy of Pieter Anne van't Haaff (thanks to Robert L3), and Robert L3.
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