Æ Tetradrachm - Maga

Features

Issuer	Kingdom of Characene (Mesopotamia)
King	Maga (195-215)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	195-215
Value	Tetradrachm
Currency	Drachm
Composition	Bronze
Weight	14.92 g
Diameter	25 mm
Thickness	4.8 mm
Shape	Round (irregular)
Technique	Hammered
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 276167 Numista type number (https://en.numista.com/help/what-is-the-n-number-visible-in-the-catalogue-33.html)
References	Alram# 510 Michel Alram, Manfred Mayrhofer, Rüdiger Schmitt; 1986. Nomina propria Iranica in nvmmis : Materialgrundlagen zu den iranischen Personennamen auf antiken Münzen. Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, Austria.

Obverse

Bust of Maga to right, diademed and draped, with pointed beard, hair in tight curls on top and bunched at sides.

Reverse

Male head right, with pointed beard, hair in 6 thick rolls, and long plait on top.

Mint

Comments

Letterings are in Aramaic script with sometimes a Greek monogram on obverse. Many variants are known and listed in the BMC Arabia pp 304-309.

Characene having been a vassal from Parthian Kingdom, reverse portrait is sometimes presented as being of a Parthian king.

Maga's reign is poorly known but is thought to extend roughly between 195 and 215 AD.

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Numista Rarity index: 95

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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