Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 479. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Gotarzes II. 40-51 AD. Billon Tetradrachm (13.87 gm). Seleukeia on the Tigris mint. Dated Seleukid era Dustros 358 (February, 47 AD). Diademed bust left, long pointed beard, lock of hair on brow / [B]ACILEW[C] BACILEW[N APCAKOV] EUERGET[OV] DIKAIOU EPIFANO[VC FI]LELLHN[OC], Gotarzes seated right on throne, Tyche standing left before him, presenting a diadem and holding cornucopiae; HNT (year) above, DYCTP[...] (month) in exergue. Sellwood 65.11; Shore 358 var. (month); cf. BMC Parthia pg. 163, 20; MACW 642 var. (date). Toned, good VF, minor die break in obverse field. ($200)

Ex Lanz 60 (11 June 1992), lot 263.

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. Like his father, Gotarzes’ subsequent rule was primarily consumed with internal strife. Also like his father, his primary rivals were supported by Rome as well as some of the Iranian nobility. He was ultimately successful, but his rule accomplished little, as the constant strife continued the overall slow decline of the Parthian kingdom.