Drachm of Vologases IV, Parthia 147 - 191

Curator: Here we have a Drachm of Vologases IV from Parthia. The coin appears to be made of silver. Editor: It's quite small, isn't it? A little worn, but with an impressive weight for its size. You can imagine the countless hands it passed through. Curator: The obverse features a portrait of Vologases IV himself, adorned with a diadem. Note the symbolic weight of the crown as a signifier of Parthian authority. Editor: And on the reverse, the seated archer – likely representing Arsaces I, the founder of the Parthian dynasty. I wonder about the skill of the minters who worked with such precious metals to create these objects. Curator: Indeed, the craftsmanship and the iconography reveal a structured system of visual communication, essential for maintaining political and cultural coherence. Editor: The silver's surface, worn by time, speaks volumes about trade, power, and the lives of ordinary people within the Parthian Empire. It is an insight into the ancient world. Curator: A fascinating material object for understanding how artistic conventions are linked to cultural power. Editor: Absolutely, a tangible reminder of human agency and the flow of resources in the ancient world.