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Drachm - Phraates V with Musa
| Issuer | Parthian Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 1-4 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Reverse description | Draped and crowned bust of Queen Musa (Thea Musa Urania) facing left, wearing a stephane or tiara upon her head. A palm frond appears to the left of the effigy in the field. The reverse design is exceptional in Parthian numismatics as it portrays a queen as co-ruler, reflecting the unique political status of Musa as consort and co-regent alongside Phraatakes. The engraving style is consistent with the late Hellenistic artistic conventions employed at Parthian mints circa 1-4 AD. |
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| Additional information |
Phraates V ruled jointly with his mother Musa, a Roman-born slave-woman given to Phraates IV by Augustus as a diplomatic gift. She engineered the assassination of Phraates IV alongside her son, then married him — a pairing so scandalous it drew explicit comment from Josephus and contributed directly to a Parthian noble revolt that drove them both from power within a few years of this coin's issue.
Sellwood 58.11 is one of the few Parthian types to bear two named individuals, reflecting a legitimacy crisis that the joint portrait was meant to resolve but probably deepened.