Phraates III made a bid for power in about 70/69 BC after the death of his father, Sinatrukes. The earliest Babylonian tablet that can be securely attributed to him, however, is dated 28/9 December 66 BC, referring to Phraates as “King of Kings” Arsaces with his mother as the royal consort. The late date of this text perhaps confirms that the struggle between Artabanos II and Phraates III lasted for over three years until the latter finally triumphed.
The initial coinage of Phraates was the sole S37 tetradrachm type that inaugurated his authority in Babylonia. This was followed by the S36 series (lots 437-8) that lasted for about four years. His next issue, S35, consisted of only drachms and bronzes that depict a facing royal bust for the first time on a Parthian coinage. Both the S36 and S35 series emanated from many of the active mints of the empire, not simply the western province of Media Atropatene, which was the extent of Darius' revolt. This fact alone proves that the coinage could not have been struck by Darius, the local ruler of Media and Atropatene who was taken prisoner by Pompey and carried off to Rome. [Dr. Assar] believes Phraates issued S35 drachms when he wrested the province of Media from his rival, Artabanos II.
The contemporary and classical sources confirm that Phraates was largely preoccupied with hostilities against Rome and Armenia, and wars with Artabanos II in Parthia proper down to 61/0 BC. Phraates issued his S39 series (lots 439-41) while still fighting his rival, followed by his S38 series (lots 442-3) which lasted to the end of his reign. On the strength of the evidence from the “annual” Susa bronze coinage, Phraates appears to have been murdered by his sons, Mithradates and Orodes, after October 58 BC, although the exact date of his death remains unknown.
It is possible that Phraates minted S35 drachms with his facing bust, generally regarded as the issue of an “Unknown King”, Sinatrukes, Darius, or Mithradates III, at this juncture in response to the “campaign” coins of Artabanos III (see lot 434), circa 63/2-62/1 BC. Perhaps one reason for the appearance of a frontal portrait was to separate S35 from S30 when Phraates introduced into his titulature the epithet ΘΕΟΠΑΤΩΡ.
KINGS of PARTHIA. Phraates III. 70/69 - 58/7 BC. AR Drachm (4.05 gm). Mithradatkart mint. Struck circa 63/2-62/1 BC. Diademed facing bust / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓ−ΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑ−ΚΟΥ ΕΙΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ (sic) ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥ−Σ ΕΚΑΙ (sic) ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow; ΜΘ monogram below bow. Sellwood 35.4 var. (Darius?; legend); Shore 166 var. (monogram); BMC Parthia -; MACW 540 var. (Darius; legend).
