Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Bust of King Volagases IV
192-193
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.5 cm (1 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
141477
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver tetradrachm struck around 192-193 CE, features the bust of King Volagases, ruler of the Parthian—a powerful Iranian dynasty that bridged Hellenistic traditions and Persian heritage. Measuring just 2.5 cm in diameter, this coin was both currency and propaganda, circulating across a vast realm from Mesopotamia to Central Asia. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's of Arts of Greece,, and Byzantium, it exemplifies how ancient rulers used portraiture to project authority and divine kingship. Parthian coins like this tetradrachm (a four-drachma piece) drew from Seleucid Gr...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...