Parthia

Parthian coins are our primary source of information on a dynasty that was in power for over 400 years in the Ancient Near East. Unfortunately some rulers are known only as ‘Unknown King’. This is made worse by the practice of most kings to inscribe coins with only the name of the founder of their dynasty. Early legends were in Greek but as time passed the letters became increasingly illegible. Some later issues bear personal names in Aramaic. Parthians were known for being men of their word and their coins continued to be issued with fair weight of good silver long after Roman silver coins were being debased.