Item number: A208

Year: 123-88 BC

Material: Silver

Size: 20.9 x 19.6 x 2.1 mm

Weight: 4.17 g

Provenance: Coincraft 2016

This coin is a drachm minted by Mithridates II of the ancient Parthian Empire. The drachm was a weight unit in the ancient Greek world, later adopted as a denomination for silver coins, typically weighing around 3.8 grams.

The obverse of the coin features a profile portrait of Mithridates II, King of the Parthian Empire, depicted with a beard and wearing a royal crown. The reverse shows an archer seated on a throne, holding a bow, symbolizing the enthronement of Arsaces I, the founder of the empire. The surrounding Greek inscription reads “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ”, meaning “Great Arsaces, King of Kings, the Illustrious”.

Mithridates II reigned as king of the Parthian Empire from 123 BC to 88 BC and is celebrated as one of the greatest rulers in the empire’s history. Under his rule, the empire significantly expanded its territory and influence. He launched numerous military campaigns against the surrounding nomadic tribes, successfully consolidating control over the Iranian Plateau and extending Parthian influence into Mesopotamia.

In addition to military actions, Mithridates II was dedicated to establishing and developing diplomatic relations. He not only established connections with the Roman Republic but also engaged in diplomatic exchanges with the distant Han Dynasty of China. Through these diplomatic and military efforts, Mithridates II not only strengthened the military and political stature of the Parthian Empire but also laid the foundations for its cultural and economic development.

物件編號: A208

年代: 公元前 123-88 年

材料: 銀

尺寸: 20.9 x 19.6 x 2.1 mm

重量: 4.17 g

來源: 錢幣工藝 2016

這枚硬幣是古波絲的安息帝國國王米特里達梯二世所鑄造的打蘭銀幣。打蘭是古希臘世界的重量單位，後來延伸為銀幣的面額，重量大致為3.8克左右。 

硬幣的正面刻有安息帝國國王米特里達梯二世的側面肖像，其外型頭戴皇冠且蓄著鬍子。硬幣的背面為一名射手坐在王座上，手中握有一把弓，象徵帝國創建者阿爾沙克一世的登基。周圍刻有希臘文銘文「 ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ 」，意思是「偉大的阿爾沙克·埃皮法努斯 諸王之王」。 

米特里達梯二世在公元前123年至公元前88年間擔任安息帝國的國王，被譽為帝國史上最偉大的統治者之一。在他的統治下，帝國的領土和影響力顯著擴張。他多次對周邊的游牧部落發動征服戰爭，成功地鞏固了對伊朗高原的控制，並將帕提亞的勢力範圍擴展到了美索不達米亞。 

除了軍事行動，米特里達梯二世還致力於建立和發展外交關係。他不僅與羅馬共和國建立了聯繫，還與遙遠的中國漢朝進行了外交交流。通過這些外交和軍事努力，米特里達梯二世不僅強化了安息帝國的軍事和政治地位，也為其文化和經濟發展奠定了基礎。