Sale: CNG 70, Lot: 441. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 September 2005.  Sold For $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Artabanos IV. Circa 80-90 AD. BI Tetradrachm (13.52 g, 12h). Seleukeia on the Tigris mint. Dated 391 SE (80 AD). Diademed bust left / Artabanos seated left, receiving diadem from Tyche, who stands left; AKT (year) above, [month in exergue]. Cf. Sellwood 74.1 (Artabanos III); Shore -. VF, lightly toned, some roughness. Very rare. ($750)

Although Artabanos' reign spanned a decade, his tetradrachms were only known for the years 391 and 392 SE (80-81 AD), leading scholars to believe he lost control of Seleukeia sometime in the latter year. This new dated tetradrachm, heretofore unpublished, clearly extends his rule at Seleukeia until 393 SE (82 AD). Pakoros' type 75 tetradrachms, which must closely follow this issue, have dates beginning in 393 SE and were issued upon his retaking of the mint city from the usurper Artabanos.