Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 499. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Parthamaspates. 116 AD. AR Drachm (3.74 gm). Ekbatana mint. Diademed bust left, medium pointed beard, earring visible; diadem has three bands, two loops, and three ends / OLIIL|-L[C] OLIIL|-LN LI-IL[HO LIVII]G.I[TO] LICAIOV IPIFLHOV[C] FILILLHC[OC], Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow; seat visible, monogram below bow. Sellwood 81.1; Shore 423; BMC Parthia pg. 201, 46 (Pakoros II); MACW 681. Toned EF. [See color enlargement on plate 7] ($200)

Parthamaspates, a great-nephew of Osroes I, was placed upon the throne by the Romans during their Parthian invasion under the emperor Trajan. Once Trajan died in 117 AD, the new emperor, Hadrian, gave up the territory the Romans had conquered, having no asperations about conquering or even raiding Parthia. Without strong Roman backing, Parthamaspates was quickly overthrown. He fled west, and was made the king of Osrhoene by the Romans. Nothing is known of his rule there. (For coins of Trajan commemorating Parthamaspates’ enthronement, see lots 920-1.)

Although signed with the Ekbatana monogram, Parthamaspates' drachms may have been struck at Ktesiphon by the Romans after Trajan proclaimed him king. His portrait on his coins shows definite Roman influence.