Catalog
Chalkous - Vardanes I
| Issuer | Parthian Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 40-47 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Chalkon (1⁄48) |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Simplified depiction of an eagle or bird of prey displayed in the field, rendered in the highly schematic style characteristic of Parthian bronze small change. Below the central motif, a horizontal line or ground line is faintly visible. The overall design is typical of Sellwood type 65 chalkous issues, with minimal detail due to the small flan size and crude die engraving. The flan is irregular and shows uneven striking pressure. No inscription or legend is discernible. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | ND (40-47) |
| Additional information |
Vardanes I spent much of his reign locked in civil war against his brother Gotarzes II, with control of the Parthian throne changing hands at least twice between roughly 40 and 47 AD. Roman sources, particularly Tacitus in the Annals, document the conflict in some detail — Rome monitored Parthian succession crises closely given the ongoing contest over Armenia. Small copper issues like this chalkous circulated at the lowest transactional level and were struck in quantities that make die studies difficult; Sellwood 65 encompasses considerable variety within the type.