What is the Vologases VI Drachm?

Vologases VI was the last Arsacid king; he was overthrown by Ardashir I, who founded the Sasanian Empire. It was struck in 208–228 CE at Ecbatana under Vologases VI.

What metal and weight is the Vologases VI Drachm?

Billon silver, weighing approximately ~3.5 g.

Persian Treasury

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Parthian (Arsacid) Empire

Vologases VI Drachm

Vologases VI was the last Arsacid king; he was overthrown by Ardashir I, who founded the Sasanian Empire.

Key specifications for Vologases VI Drachm
Date	208–228 CE
Ruler / issuer	Vologases VI
Mint	Ecbatana
Metal	Billon silver
Weight	~3.5 g
Era	Parthian (Arsacid) Empire (247 BCE – 224 CE)
Region	Iran, Mesopotamia, Armenia

Obverse

Bearded bust with high tiara, crudely engraved.

Reverse

Stylised seated archer; legend in degraded Greek and Aramaic.

Historical context — Parthian (Arsacid) Empire

The Arsacid kings issued silver drachms and bronze chalkoi at Ecbatana, Seleucia, Susa, Mithradatkart and Rhagae. Reverse types are remarkably consistent: the seated archer Arsaces.

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Frequently asked

What is the Vologases VI Drachm?: Vologases VI was the last Arsacid king; he was overthrown by Ardashir I, who founded the Sasanian Empire. It was struck in 208–228 CE at Ecbatana under Vologases VI.
What metal and weight is it?: Billon silver, weighing approximately ~3.5 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Bearded bust with high tiara, crudely engraved. Reverse: Stylised seated archer; legend in degraded Greek and Aramaic.

Elymais Tetradrachm of Kamnaskires V

Kamnaskires V of Elymais

c. 54–32 BCE

The Kingdom of Elymais — successor to ancient Elam in lowland Khuzestan — minted vassal coinage under Parthian overlordship. Their stylised portraits are some of the most distinctive of the period.

Characene Tetradrachm — Spasinou Charax

Attambelos I of Characene

1st century BCE – 1st century CE

The Kingdom of Characene at the head of the Persian Gulf was a Parthian vassal controlling Indian Ocean trade. Its coins debased steadily as silver gave way to lead-bronze. Image: related Elymaean billon tetradrachm.

Mithradates I Tetradrachm

Mithradates I

171–138 BCE

First king to title himself 'Great King'.

Mithradates II Drachm

Mithradates II

121–91 BCE

Coinage shifts from Greek to Iranian royal imagery.

Orodes I Silver Tetradrachm

Orodes I

90–77 BCE

Orodes I ruled in a turbulent period of Arsacid civil war. His successor Orodes II would later defeat Crassus at Carrhae (53 BCE).

Phraates IV Silver Tetradrachm

Phraates IV

37–2 BCE

Phraates IV defeated Mark Antony's Parthian expedition (36 BCE) and later received the four Roman legionary standards lost at Carrhae back from Augustus (20 BCE) — a diplomatic coup commemorated on Roman coinage. His Seleucia tetradrachms are precisely dated month-by-month.

Source

Commons – Vologases VI of Parthia →