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Coinage of Artabanus IV (last Arsacid)

1 catalogued issue of Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Artabanus IV (c. 213–224 CE) was the last Parthian King of Kings, defeated and killed by Ardashir I at Hormozdgan — the battle that ended the Arsacid dynasty and began the Sasanian empire. Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 213 CE – 224 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Ecbatana (Hamadan).

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range213 CE – 224 CE
Eras representedParthian (Arsacid) Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm
MintsEcbatana (Hamadan)
Reignc. 213–224 CE
VictoryOver Macrinus at Nisibis, 217 CE
DefeatHormozdgan, 224 CE
CommemoratedSasanian reliefs at Firuzabad

Fighting on two fronts

Artabanus repelled the Roman emperor Macrinus at Nisibis in 217 CE and extracted a large indemnity, showing that Parthia was still militarily capable. But the civil war with his brother Vologases VI never ended, and Fars slipped out of control while it continued.

Ardashir's rise was a provincial revolt that the central government was too divided to suppress in time.

Hormozdgan

At Hormozdgan in 224 CE Artabanus was defeated and killed. Sasanian rock reliefs at Firuzabad and Naqsh-e Rostam show the moment, making it one of the few ancient Iranian battles with contemporary visual commemoration.

Artabanus IV drachms, mostly from Ecbatana, are the closing coins of the Arsacid series and carry that terminal significance for collectors.

Parthian (Arsacid) Empire · 247 BCE – 224 CE

Era overview →

Artabanus IV Drachm

Artabanus IV (last Arsacid)

c. 213–224 CE

Killed by Ardashir I at the Battle of Hormozdgan in 224 CE — the end of the Arsacid dynasty after nearly five centuries and the dawn of the Sasanian empire.

Frequently asked about Artabanus IV (last Arsacid)

How did the Parthian empire end?
Artabanus IV was defeated and killed by Ardashir I at the battle of Hormozdgan in 224 CE, after which the Sasanians took the throne.
Was Parthia weak at the end?
Not militarily — it had beaten Rome in 217 CE. It was fatally divided by the civil war between Artabanus IV and Vologases VI.
What coins did Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) issue?
Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 213 CE – 224 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Ecbatana (Hamadan).
How many Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 213 CE – 224 CE, spread across 1 era: Parthian (Arsacid) Empire.
Which metals were used for Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Artabanus IV (last Arsacid)?
Drachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Artabanus IV (last Arsacid) coins minted?
Recorded mints include Ecbatana (Hamadan).

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here