Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 992. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of CHARACENE. Hyspaosines. Circa 140-121 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.88 gm). Charax-Spasinu mint. Dated SE 187 (126/5 BC). Diademed head right / Herakles seated left on rock, holding club on knee; monogram to outer left, ZPR (date) in exergue. Assar fig. 15; Alram 491 var. (different year); BMC Arabia pl. 54, 1 var. (same); De Morgan pl. 40, 1 var. (same). VF, light to moderate porosity. ($2000)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 54 (14 June 2000), lot 859.

Hyspaosines was the charismatic founder of an Arab principality in Charax (now in southeastern Iraq at the head of the Persian Gulf), with its capital based at the ancient city of Alexandria-Antioch renamed as Charax-Spasinu (probably near modern Basra). Hyspaosines spent much of his reign fighting against the Parthians, allying himself as circumstances dictated with the Elymaeans and the Seleukids. His coins were primarily struck at Charax and dated to the Seleukid Era, with the following dates presently known: 184, 187, 188, 190, 191, and 192. All of his coins are extremely rare. Hyspaosines died from illness in 188 SE (124 BC), but coins continued to be issued posthumously in his name while his wife served as regent for their young son. For further background and a detailed study of the cuneiform and numismatic evidence, see Dr. G.R.F. Assar, "Recent Studies in Parthian History: Part II", The Celator, vol. 15, no. 1 (January 2001), pp. 17-27.