Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 402. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Mithradates I. Circa 171-132 BC. AR Drachm (3.70 gm). Ekbatana mint. Struck circa 147/6 BC. Bearded bust right wearing diadem, reel and pellet border / BASI-LEWS MEGALOU ARSAKOU, Arsakes I seated right on omphalos, holding bow. Sellwood 12.2 var. (legend orientation); Shore -; BMC Parthia pg. 6, 1 var. (same); MACW -. Toned, good VF, minor obverse flan flaw, edge split. Very rare; unpublished variety with 12.2 monogram and Sellwood type 12.1 legend orientation. ($1000)

Ex Malter 72 (23 November 1997), lot 83.

It is believed that the S12 coinage was minted by Mithradates in commemoration of his conquest of the strategically important provinces of Media and Atropatene about 147/6 BC, and the appointment of his brother, Bagasis, to the governorship of these territories.