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Drachm - Phraates - Kingdom of Elymais Arsacid Dynasty
| Issuer | Elymais |
|---|---|
| Year | 100-150 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Drachm (1) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Facing bust of Phraates with long beard, wearing a diademed tiara adorned with two dotted crescents. A pellet within a crescent appears above an anchor with a single bar to the right of the effigy. The portrait is rendered in the crude, stylized manner characteristic of late Elymaean coinage, with the facial features and regalia summarized in bold, schematic strokes. The surrounding field is plain, enclosed within a dotted border. |
|---|---|
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Elymais, a semi-independent kingdom tucked into the foothills of the Zagros Mountains in what is now southwestern Iran, maintained a stubborn political identity long after the Arsacid Parthian empire had absorbed most of its neighbors. By the late Phraates issues — several rulers carried the name, making precise attribution within the dynasty genuinely difficult — the billon alloy had degraded significantly from earlier silver issues, reflecting both economic strain and the kingdom's shrinking access to quality bullion. Elymais was finally extinguished by the Sasanians around 221–224 AD.