PARTHIAN EMPIRE – PHRAATES IV (38/37–2 BC) – AR DRACHM – EKBATANA – 3.47 G – VERY FINE
Phraates IV – A Parthian King During the Age of Augustus and the Roman Republic’s Transformation into an Empire
An ancient silver drachm attributed to Phraates IV (38/37–2 BC), one of the important rulers of the Arsacid dynasty during a decisive period in the history of the Parthian Empire.
His reign witnessed significant political and diplomatic developments, including the aftermath of Roman military campaigns in the East and the establishment of relations with Augustus, the first Roman emperor.
The coin represents the traditional silver currency of the Parthian kingdom, featuring a distinctive royal portrait on the obverse and the seated archer design on the reverse.
Attributed to the historic mint of Ekbatana, this drachm offers a tangible connection to the political, military, and monetary traditions of ancient Persia.
Historical Background
Phraates IV ruled the Parthian Empire during a period of major political transformation across the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.
He came to power in approximately 38/37 BC, succeeding his father Orodes II during a period of dynastic instability.
His reign coincided with the final decades of the Roman Republic and the rise of Octavian, later known as Augustus.
One of the most significant events of his reign was the Roman campaign led by Mark Antony against Parthia in 36 BC.
Antony’s expedition encountered serious logistical and military difficulties, ultimately ending in a costly Roman withdrawal.
The failure of this campaign demonstrated the strength of Parthian resistance and the challenges faced by Roman armies operating deep within the Iranian sphere of influence.
Relations between Rome and Parthia later entered a period of diplomatic negotiation under Augustus.
In 20 BC, Phraates IV agreed to return the Roman military standards captured during earlier conflicts, including those lost by Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC.
This diplomatic settlement became one of the celebrated achievements of Augustus and was prominently represented in Roman imperial propaganda.
For Parthia, the agreement helped maintain political stability and avoided another major confrontation with Rome.
Phraates IV also faced internal dynastic challenges, including disputes over succession and rival claims to royal authority.
His reign illustrates the complex balance of military power, diplomacy, and dynastic politics that characterized relations between the Parthian Empire and Rome.
Silver drachms issued during his rule circulated throughout the kingdom and served as important instruments of commerce and royal authority.
Coin Description
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of Phraates IV facing left, wearing an elaborate royal hairstyle with carefully arranged rows of curls.
The portrait displays the characteristic features of Parthian royal representation, including a prominent nose, detailed eye, moustache, and carefully rendered beard.
An eagle appears behind the king’s head, associated with the royal imagery of Phraates IV.
The hairstyle and diadem retain particularly attractive detail, with individual curls clearly distinguishable.
The facial features remain well defined, including the eye, nose, moustache, and beard.
The silver-grey surfaces exhibit darker toning, scattered marks, fine scratches, and localized areas of roughness.
The irregularly rounded flan reflects the traditional characteristics of ancient hammered silver coinage.
Reverse: Arsaces seated right on a throne, holding a bow, surrounded by Greek inscriptions containing the traditional royal titles of the Parthian kings.
The seated archer was one of the most enduring symbols of the Arsacid dynasty, representing royal legitimacy, military tradition, and continuity with the dynasty’s founder.
The central seated figure remains clearly recognizable, including the head, body, extended arm, bow, and portions of the throne.
Several sections of the surrounding Greek inscriptions remain visible, although some letters are weakened or partially obscured by circulation wear and striking irregularities.
The reverse retains a substantial portion of its original design, with darker toning in the recessed areas providing contrast against the raised details.
The Ekbatana Mint
Attributed to Ekbatana, one of the most historically significant cities of ancient Iran, located near modern-day Hamadan.
Ekbatana had served as an important political centre since the Median period and retained its significance under the Achaemenid, Seleucid, and Parthian dynasties.
During the Arsacid period, the city was closely associated with royal administration and the production of silver coinage.
Its strategic location along routes connecting Mesopotamia, the Iranian plateau, and eastern territories contributed to its commercial and political importance.
The mint of Ekbatana produced numerous silver drachms under successive Parthian rulers.
These coins preserve valuable evidence of royal portraiture, monetary production, and the political traditions of the Arsacid dynasty.
Collector’s Appeal
This ancient silver drachm offers collectors an attractive example of Parthian royal coinage from the reign of Phraates IV, a ruler closely associated with the history of Rome during the age of Augustus.
The obverse is particularly appealing, preserving the king’s distinctive facial features, elaborate hairstyle, royal diadem, and eagle motif.
The reverse retains the traditional seated archer design and portions of the surrounding Greek royal inscriptions.
The coin displays an attractive combination of silver-grey surfaces, darker toning, and visible ancient circulation wear.
Its irregular flan and minor surface marks are consistent with the appearance of ancient hammered coinage, although the precise origin of individual marks cannot be established from photographs alone.
The historical association with Mark Antony’s unsuccessful Parthian campaign and the diplomatic settlement with Augustus adds considerable interest for collectors of Roman and Parthian history.
An appealing addition to a collection of ancient Persian, Parthian, Arsacid, or Roman Republican and Imperial coinage.
Numismatic Details
Empire: Parthian Empire
Ruler: Phraates IV
Date: Ca. 38/37–2 BC
Dynasty: Arsacid
Mint: Ekbatana (attributed)
Denomination: AR Drachm
Metal: Silver
Weight: 3.47 g
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of Phraates IV left, with elaborate curled hairstyle, beard, and eagle behind
Reverse: Arsaces seated right on throne, holding bow, surrounded by partially preserved Greek royal inscriptions
Condition: Very Fine (VF), with circulation wear
Surface: Silver-grey surfaces with darker toning, scattered marks, fine scratches, and localized roughness
Period: Late 1st century BC
Historical Association: Mark Antony’s Parthian campaign and the diplomatic relations between Phraates IV and Augustus
An ancient silver drachm representing the monetary traditions of the Parthian Empire during the reign of Phraates IV, a king whose rule coincided with major developments in Roman history and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Augustus.