Parthian Empire: Vologases III (ca. 105-147 CE) AR Drachm, Ekbatana Mint

[Quant.Geek]

Parthian Empire: Vologases III (ca. 105-147 CE) AR Drachm, Ekbatana Mint (Sellwood-78.4)

Obv: Bust left with long pointed beard, wearing double banded diadem with double loop and three pendent ends, spiral torque, earring visible, dotted border
Rev: Archer enthroned right, monogram below bow, seven-line Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩN ΑΡΣΑΚΟY EYEPΓETOY ΔΙΚΑΙΟY ΕΠIΦΑNOYΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ stylized

Former collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich

A high-resolution image of this coin is available at FORVM Ancient Coins

[Figleaf]

Although this is such a sharply struck, beautifully preserved, museum quality coin, I am totally lost trying to read the texts. I believe you when you say there are seven lines, but I see six. I can't even figure out which side of the letters are up. Well, 700 years after Alexander the Great, you can't expect the Persians to write Greek like he did, but I hadn't expected this (and even less the title PHILELLINOS).

Peter

[Ancientnoob]

Now that's an awesome example. You could cut yourself on the details! Sharp!