Lot 89: Kingdom of Persis. Uncertain king I. 2nd century B.C. AR drachm.
AUCTION: Triskeles - Auction 24 (Auction 331)
- Sold Winning Bid: $250
- 5 Bid(s)
Kingdom of Persis. Uncertain king I. 2nd century B.C. AR drachm (14 mm, 3.98 g, 11 h). Head right, wearing diadem and satrapal cap surmounted by eagle; scar on cheek / Fire temple, Ahura-Mazda above, on left, king standing right; to right, standard surmounted by eagle. Cf. K&M 3/5 (crescent on back of cap); Alram 551 var. (same); Sunrise -. Well struck in high relief. Choice extremely fine.
There are two issues generally recorded for the Kings of Persis which show the king wearing a satrapal cap surmounted by an eagle: one attributed to Autophradates II and one usually attributed to an "Uncertain King I". The issue of Autophradates (Alram 547) has a very distinctive style portrait that is readily identifiable, and which is different from this coin. This coin has a portrait style nearly identical to the issues attributed to "Uncertain King I" (Alram 551) except for two features: there is usually a crescent on the back of the cap, which this coin lacks, and the portrait on this coin shows a scar on the king's cheek, a feature also found on the hemidrachms and obols of this issue, but not present on Alram 551-3. Interestingly, neither Alram, K&M or Sunrise illustrate an example without the crescent and with a scar, although a number of them have been observed on the market. Does this represent a different, yet identified king, or perhaps a later issue for the "Uncertain King I" after he received an injury in battle?
- Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
- Lot #: 89
- Listing #: 220369
- Closed: Monday, July 16, 2018 6:29:20 PM CT
- Estimate: $200