AUTOPHRADATES II ( VADFRADAD ) PERSIS AR TETRADRACHM
Alram 546, Sunrise 574, BOLD Extremely Fine, slight areas of horn silver on rev., 26.4mm, 16.69 grams, Struck Early - mid 2nd Century B.C.E., Persepolis Mint
Reverse: Fire temple, half figure of Ahura-Mazda above to left, King Autophradates standing to left, standard surmounted by eagle to right
The reign of King Autophradates II (Vadfradad) is known only from his coins, which are notable for showing the breakdown of Seleukid authority in the eastern satrapies. After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals divided his empire among themselves. Seleukos I came to control of the entire eastern portion of the empire, but his successors expansionism to the west mitigated the amount of control they could exercise in the East. By the later third century the local governors of Persis had begun issuing their own coins, but were mindful of their Seleukid overlords and incorporated the title of local ruler, in their designs (much as the earliest Hasmonean coinage in Judaea). By the second century the Seleukid's control had weakened to the point that Autophradates II began issuing coins which either lacked the title of local rule or carried the title of king. The Seleukids were powerless to reassert their authority, and this design form continued throughout the duration of Persis coinage.
A VERY RARE coin with a BOLD portrait, of fine style!
On many of these the portraits are rather schematic, the beard a series of engraved dots, without flow and realism like our example. This specimen has a very bold and handsome portrait on the obverse, and is extremely fine with almost no wear. The reverse is perfectly centered, though struck with a somewhat worn die. The weight is substantial for this coin type. A lovely example of a very rare type!
