196, Lot: 78. Estimate $200. Sold for $420. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Mithradates IV. Circa 58-55 BC. AR Drachm (20mm, 3.77 g, 1h). Rhagai mint. Diademed bust left, wearing segmented necklace and medallion / Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram above bow. Assar, Revised, p. 96-7; Sellwood 41.7; Shore -. Good VF, toned, light porosity. Well centered and struck.

After murdering their father, Phraates III, Mithradates III and Orodes II began to quarrel. It appears that Mithradates was the first to wear the royal diadem, but he was soon countered by his brother. Orodes’ illustrious general, Surena, eventually defeated and captured Mithradates. We are told by Justin (42.4.4) that Mithradates was charged with conspiracy against Parthia for seeking Roman assistance, and was at once executed on the order of Orodes.

Dr. Assar has taken the S44 tetradrachm type with the as the initial coinage of Mithradates, marking the beginning of his rule in Babylonia. This was followed by S40 and S41 drachms in Parthia, and ended with the S41.1 tetradrachms and S41.17 drachms with his personal name on the former and the unusual epithet "also called (or nicknamed) son of Phraates" on the latter. It is possible that of the two brothers, Mithradates was an adopted son while Orodes was the natural son of Phraates III.