Phraates IV secured the Parthian throne by murdering his father Orodes II and, by most ancient accounts, several of his brothers. His reign was defined by sustained conflict with Rome — including the negotiations that returned the captured Arsacid standards lost at Carrhae in 53 BC, a diplomatic coup Augustus exploited mercilessly in his own propaganda. The Susa mint operated intermittently under the Parthians, and drachms attributable to it within this type carry subtle fabric differences from the main Ecbatana output.
The Sellwood 53.15 variety designation places this piece within a tightly clustered group distinguished by specific reverse die characteristics. The "var." notation signals deviation from the published type — most commonly a minor legend spelling or anchor control mark difference.
Phraates IV secured the Parthian throne by murdering his father Orodes II and, by most ancient accounts, several of his brothers. His reign was defined by sustained conflict with Rome — including the negotiations that returned the captured Arsacid standards lost at Carrhae in 53 BC, a diplomatic coup Augustus exploited mercilessly in his own propaganda. The Susa mint operated intermittently under the Parthians, and drachms attributable to it within this type carry subtle fabric differences from the main Ecbatana output.
The Sellwood 53.15 variety designation places this piece within a tightly clustered group distinguished by specific reverse die characteristics. The "var." notation signals deviation from the published type — most commonly a minor legend spelling or anchor control mark difference.