Extremely Rare Arsakes Dichalkon

Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 577. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PARTHIA. Arsakes I. 247-211 BC. Æ Dichalkon (3.20 g, 12h). Uncertain mint. Head left, wearing bashlyk / Bow in bowcase. Lanz 102, lot 306 (same obv. die), otherwise unpublished. Fine, brown patina, rough surfaces. Extremely rare, one of approximately 3 known.

All three of the known coins are struck from the same obverse die, which was also used on Sellwood type 3 and 4 drachms (see previous lot [A&S obv. die 3/4]). This dichalkon type was continued under Arsakes II (Sellwood 6.2).