The earliest Parthian coinage presents a genuine attribution problem that remains unresolved: numismatists disagree whether these first drachms should be assigned to Arsaces I, the founder who led the revolt against Seleucid authority around 247 BC, or to his brother and successor Arsaces II. Sellwood's type 5 grouping spans nearly five decades, which reflects honest uncertainty rather than sloppy cataloging. Hecatompylos, the Parthian capital in what is now northeastern Iran near Damghan, was the only mint producing silver at this stage of the dynasty.
The earliest Parthian coinage presents a genuine attribution problem that remains unresolved: numismatists disagree whether these first drachms should be assigned to Arsaces I, the founder who led the revolt against Seleucid authority around 247 BC, or to his brother and successor Arsaces II. Sellwood's type 5 grouping spans nearly five decades, which reflects honest uncertainty rather than sloppy cataloging. Hecatompylos, the Parthian capital in what is now northeastern Iran near Damghan, was the only mint producing silver at this stage of the dynasty.