Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Phraates IV

1 catalogued issue of Phraates IV — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Phraates IV (c. 37–2 BCE) defeated Mark Antony's invasion of Media and later returned the captured Roman legionary standards to Augustus — a diplomatic settlement Rome celebrated as a victory. Phraates IV issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 2 BCE – 37 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Seleucia-on-the-Tigris.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
2

Key facts

Key facts about Phraates IV in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range2 BCE – 37 CE
Eras representedParthian (Arsacid) Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm, Tetradrachm
MintsSeleucia-on-the-Tigris
Reignc. 37–2 BCE
DefeatedMark Antony's Median campaign, 36 BCE
Standards returned20 BCE, to Augustus
Portrait aidWart on brow; eagle or Nike behind bust

Parthia against Rome

Antony's Median campaign of 36 BCE ended in a costly retreat, confirming Parthian control of the plateau. The subsequent return of the standards lost at Carrhae in 20 BCE was negotiated, not conquered, but Augustus put it on the Prima Porta cuirass and on his own coinage.

Parthian coinage of the period tells the other side: an uninterrupted royal series with Greek legends, struck in volume at Ecbatana, Mithradatkart and Seleucia.

Recognising the type

Phraates IV drachms typically show a bearded bust with a wart on the brow — a portrait quirk consistent enough to serve as an identification aid — often with an eagle or Nike behind the head.

The series is common enough for a collector to specialise by mint mark, making it a good field for learning Parthian attribution systematically.

Parthian (Arsacid) Empire · 247 BCE – 224 CE

Era overview →

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.

Frequently asked about Phraates IV

Did Rome ever conquer Parthia?
No. Rome won battles and briefly occupied Ctesiphon on later campaigns, but never held the Iranian plateau; Antony's invasion under Phraates IV failed outright.
How do I identify a Phraates IV drachm?
By the bearded bust with a distinctive brow wart, often with an eagle or Nike behind the head, plus the mint monogram in the reverse exergue.
What coins did Phraates IV issue?
Phraates IV issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 2 BCE – 37 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Seleucia-on-the-Tigris.
How many Phraates IV pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 2 BCE – 37 CE, spread across 1 era: Parthian (Arsacid) Empire.
Which metals were used for Phraates IV coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Phraates IV?
Drachm, Tetradrachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Phraates IV coins minted?
Recorded mints include Seleucia-on-the-Tigris.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here