Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 424. Estimate $150.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Mithradates II. Circa October 122 - October 91 BC. AR Drachm (4.13 gm). Ekbatana mint. Struck circa 96/5-91 BC. Diademed bust left, wearing tiara; neck torque ends in two pellets / BASILEWS BASI-LEWN MEGALOU ARSAKOU EPIFANOUS, Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow. Sellwood 28.3; Shore 97 corr. (orientation of star on tiara); BMC Parthia pg. 34, 102 var. (same); cf. MACW 532 (for type). Toned, good VF. [See color enlargement on plate 7] ($150)

As a direct result of Mithradates’ successful wars, leading to the expansion of the Parthian Empire, he was obliged to install subordinate local rulers, and consequently adopt the title “King of Kings”. This was inaugurated in the S27 series of silver and bronze coinage, circa 109 BC. According to the “annual” Susa bronze issues, Mithradates’ new tiara portraits were introduced circa 96/5 BC, and comprised the S28 - S29 series--the final issues which lasted until the end of his reign.