Elymais Drachm — Kamnaskires-Orodes — Dashes

Kings of Elymais

Ruler: Kamnaskires-Orodes

Period: Early to mid-2nd century AD

Denomination: AE Drachm (3.91 g; 16 mm)

Mint: Susa

Obverse: Diademed bust facing; to right, pellet within crescent and anchor with two crossbars

Reverse: Dashes in irregular pattern

Numismatic Type: Van't Haaff Type 12.3/1-1A; Klein 746

Elymais was an ancient Iranian kingdom centered around Susa in southwestern Iran. Situated at the crossroads of the Iranian plateau, Mesopotamia, and the Hellenistic world, Elymais developed a distinctive culture that combined older Elamite and Iranian traditions with strong Hellenistic and Parthian influences. Although much less famous than Rome, Greece, or Byzantium, the kingdom's coinage offers a fascinating glimpse into a regional civilization that maintained its own rulers and artistic traditions within the wider political world of the Parthian East.

Kamnaskires-Orodes ruled Elymais during the early to mid-2nd century AD, a period in which the kingdom existed within the broader political sphere of the Arsacid Parthian Empire. The name combines the dynastic name Kamnaskires with Orodes, a name also borne by several Parthian rulers, reflecting the complex cultural and political environment of the Iranian East. As with many Elymaean kings, much of his historical significance must be reconstructed through his coinage, which preserves the distinctive portraiture and symbols of his reign.

This bronze drachm features the diademed bust of Kamnaskires-Orodes facing, accompanied by a pellet within a crescent and an anchor with two crossbars. The reverse is filled with dashes arranged in an irregular pattern, a characteristic feature of this distinctive Elymaean series. Weighing 3.91 g and measuring 16 mm, the coin is a compact example of the bronze currency produced at Susa. It is attributed to Van't Haaff Type 12.3/1-1A and Klein 746.