Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 723. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Vardanes I. Circa AD 40-45. AR Tetradrachm (14.55 g, 12h). Seleukeia on the Tigris mint. Dated Panemos SE 353 (June AD 42). Diademed bust left, wearing short beard and spiral torque; all within pelleted border / [BΛ(three-bar Σ)IΛEω(three-bar Σ)/BΛ(three-bar Σ)IΛEω[N] ΛP(three-bar Σ)Λ[K(quadrate O)Y] ΔIKΛI(quadrate O)(Y) [E]ΠIΦAN(quadrate O)V(three-bar Σ)/[ΦI]ΛEΛΛHN(quadrate O)[(three-bar Σ), Vardanes seated right, receiving palm from Tyche standing left; ГNT (year) in field above, ΠANHΠ(quadrate O)[V] (month) in exergue. Sellwood 64.7; Shore -; PDC 39739 (this coin). VF, toned, light graffito on obverse under tone. Good metal.

From the Todd A. Ballen Collection. Ex Dr. Robert Gonnella Collection (Peus 388, 1 November 2006), lot 576; Monetarium FPL 58 (Autumn 1992), no. 90.

Upon the death of their father Artabanos III, Vardanes I (the principal heir) and Gotarzes II contested for the kingship. Vardanes was eventually successful, but was murdered shortly thereafter.