Lot 2116

Description

Parthia, Kingdom of, Phraataces and Musa, (2 B.C. - 4 A.D.), silver drachm, (3.16 grams), crude style, Susa mint, obv. head to left with pointed beard, Nike each side of bust, rev. Queen Musa bust to left, palm branch before, trace of legend in square around 'Goddess, Urania Musa, Queen', (cf.S.5763, Sellwood 58.11, Shore 326 [this coin]). Surface porosity, minor encrustation, otherwise nearly very fine and extremely rare mint and type.

Ex. Shore Collection, Classical Numismatic Group New York auction, December 5, 1995 (lot 326), where it is attributed to Sellwood 58.10. $$ This issue was struck to commemorate the marriage of Queen Musa, the slave girl, to her son Phraataces, who succeded to the throne after both had murdered his father and her husband. A most important issue which is rarely offered at auction, and to the cataloguers knowledge for this variant only this coin.