INDO-PARTHIAN copper tetradrachm coins of GONDOPHARES IV SASES (c.35 - c.55 AD)
A group of three copper tetradrachm coins issued by king Gondophares IV Sases of the Indo-Parthian empire (reigned c.35 to c.55 AD). Sases was one of the kings of the Gondopharian dynasty whose empire covered what today comprises north-west India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Gondophares I established the Indo-Parthian empire around 20 BC in which he and his successors proclaimed themselves as ‘King of Kings’ on their coinages. Their empire may have comprised of vassal kingdoms spread throughout the region, but with overall allegiance to the Arsacid Kingdom (Parthians). After the death of Gondophares I, the power his successors exercised over the Indo-Parthian empire weakened, to the extent their rule had faded away by the end of the 1st century AD and replaced by the Kushan Empire.
Scant evidence exists about the Indo-Parthians save for a few literary references, some inscriptions and other archaeological evidence. Much of what is known about their sequence of rulers has been gleaned from numismatic study of their coins and coin hoards. It is believed the Gondopharians were of Scythian origin who originally came from what is today eastern Iran. They are called Indo-Parthians based on the area they ruled and from the style of some of their coinages which was influenced by that of the Arsacid Kingdom. The style and fabric of the coins of Sases are derived directly from those of the Indo-Scythians, which in turn, was derived from the Indo-Greeks before them. There is no hint of Roman influence in the Indo-Parthian coinage.
Likewise with their predecessors, the Indo-Scythians, the official religion adopted by the Indo-Parthians was based on the Greek pantheon of deities. It was with the Indo-Parthians and later the Kushans that Buddhism would become more established in the region.
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Obverse:
King on horseback with right arm raised and holding what may be a diadem. Indo-Parthian Tamgha symbol in front of horse. Inscription in Greek script, but is unclear on these coins.
Reverse:
Greek deity Zeus standing right with Greek letters beside. The Buddhist Triratna symbol appears on both coins with Zeus standing right. Inscription in Kharoshti script, but is unclear on these coins.
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DESCRIPTION:
Size: 20mm to 22mm diameter. Coin of a dumpy fabric, about 3mm (1/8”) thick.
Material(s): Copper.
Weight: varies from 9.25g to 9.5g
Die alignment: varies.
Edge: Plain.
Mint: Gandhara or Taxila.
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References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Parthian_Kingdom
www.iranicaonline.org/articles/indo-parthian-dynasty-1
en.numista.com/catalogue/indo-parthian-kingdom-1.html (Style of main series of Gondopharian coinages followed the Parthian model but some (as those above) copied the Indo-Scythian style, which in turn was derived from the Indo-Greeks).
www.anythinganywhere.com/commerce/coins/coinpics/indi-ind... (More examples of Indo-Parthian coins).
INDO-PARTHIAN copper tetradrachm coins of GONDOPHARES IV SASES (c.35 - c.55 AD)
A group of three copper tetradrachm coins issued by king Gondophares IV Sases of the Indo-Parthian empire (reigned c.35 to c.55 AD). Sases was one of the kings of the Gondopharian dynasty whose empire covered what today comprises north-west India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Gondophares I established the Indo-Parthian empire around 20 BC in which he and his successors proclaimed themselves as ‘King of Kings’ on their coinages. Their empire may have comprised of vassal kingdoms spread throughout the region, but with overall allegiance to the Arsacid Kingdom (Parthians). After the death of Gondophares I, the power his successors exercised over the Indo-Parthian empire weakened, to the extent their rule had faded away by the end of the 1st century AD and replaced by the Kushan Empire.
Scant evidence exists about the Indo-Parthians save for a few literary references, some inscriptions and other archaeological evidence. Much of what is known about their sequence of rulers has been gleaned from numismatic study of their coins and coin hoards. It is believed the Gondopharians were of Scythian origin who originally came from what is today eastern Iran. They are called Indo-Parthians based on the area they ruled and from the style of some of their coinages which was influenced by that of the Arsacid Kingdom. The style and fabric of the coins of Sases are derived directly from those of the Indo-Scythians, which in turn, was derived from the Indo-Greeks before them. There is no hint of Roman influence in the Indo-Parthian coinage.
Likewise with their predecessors, the Indo-Scythians, the official religion adopted by the Indo-Parthians was based on the Greek pantheon of deities. It was with the Indo-Parthians and later the Kushans that Buddhism would become more established in the region.
.
Obverse:
King on horseback with right arm raised and holding what may be a diadem. Indo-Parthian Tamgha symbol in front of horse. Inscription in Greek script, but is unclear on these coins.
Reverse:
Greek deity Zeus standing right with Greek letters beside. The Buddhist Triratna symbol appears on both coins with Zeus standing right. Inscription in Kharoshti script, but is unclear on these coins.
.
DESCRIPTION:
Size: 20mm to 22mm diameter. Coin of a dumpy fabric, about 3mm (1/8”) thick.
Material(s): Copper.
Weight: varies from 9.25g to 9.5g
Die alignment: varies.
Edge: Plain.
Mint: Gandhara or Taxila.
.
References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Parthian_Kingdom
www.iranicaonline.org/articles/indo-parthian-dynasty-1
en.numista.com/catalogue/indo-parthian-kingdom-1.html (Style of main series of Gondopharian coinages followed the Parthian model but some (as those above) copied the Indo-Scythian style, which in turn was derived from the Indo-Greeks).
www.anythinganywhere.com/commerce/coins/coinpics/indi-ind... (More examples of Indo-Parthian coins).