Analysis of Silver Coins during Phraates IV Period Based on PIXE Method

Subject Areas : Historical Archaeology

Mahdi Sabzali ¹ (M.A. in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.)
Farhang Khademi Nadoushan ² (Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.)
Alireza Gudarzi ³ (Ph. D. Candidate in Historical Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.)
Bita sodaei ⁴ (Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Islamic Azad University, Varamin Branch, Varamin, Iran.)
Hossein Sadeghi Saghdel ⁵ (Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.)

Received: 2023-07-09 Accepted : 2023-07-09 Published : 2012-08-22

Keywords: Silver, Partians, PIXE, Phraates IV, coin analysis,

Abstract :

Silver Coins analysis technique (PIXE), seems an accurate method of measuring their constituent elements. It can offer valuable information about the chemical elements and minerals from the coins living in the coinage. During the Parthian Mint due to various reasons, the usual procedure would change the coins for melting metal, also chose a new mineral. During the reign of the Phraates IV (38-2 B.C.) As well pre (Mitridat I 171-138 BC.), silver coins, including one derhami and four drahmy coins were bronze and copper. The silver coins to the value of the metal and geographies that in turn, were more important than practice. In this study, 10 samples of coins - a complexity Phraates IV by the PIXE were tested. It spectroscopy revealed that the element silver coins in them varies greatly. Silver drop on some coins represent an abnormal situation of economic complexity and effort to win control of the state mint for reign.