Spaniard Posted May 25, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 25, 2022 (edited) Everyone loves a Sassanian coin!? Love to see your examples... Here's a start... Khusro I 531-579AD-AR Drachm-Max 31mm diameter-3.84 grams Obverse..Facing bust, head right, wearing merlon crown with tassel to left and surmounted by crescent with 3 vertical lines. Crescents at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock. Right of portrait kings name. Reverse..Fire altar with two attendants standing facing either side of fire altar, wearing tall headgear, both hands on sword hilt. Star and crescent flanking flames of altar. Right-Mint HWC (Gunde-Shapur, Khuzistan) /Left- Regnal year 26 = 557AD. Edited May 26, 2022 by Spaniard Spelling 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 25, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 25, 2022 Don't have many! Yours is a very nice example, @Spaniard! Persia Sasanian Ardashir III 628-629 CE AR Drachm 36mm 3.85g Zoroastrian Fire Alter Gobl II-1 yr 2 Delta RARE This guy messed up a few Romans... and an Emperor... Sasanian Shapur I 240-272 CE AE Tetradrachm 10.78g 27mm Ctesiphon mint phase 1a mural crown korymbos - fire altar type 2 SNS IIa1-1a 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted May 26, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 Lovely additions @Alegandron.. Your Ardasher III is a great example, just in case you don't know the mint is AY- Eran-Khvarrah-Shapur, Khuzistan. Lovely big bronze too with super detail for the type....Valerian's friend.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted May 26, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 26, 2022 (edited) Thanks for starting this thread, @Spaniard, and tha's a Terrific Khusro I! And may I second you on @Alegandron's Ardashir II? That kicks something or other all over the block. You said, 'pile 'em on,' so here are all the ones I have pics of, with nothing but names and regnal dates. Profound thanks are owed to Darius590 from CT for his sage advice on getting these. ...As a really solid introduction to the history, I can recommend Daryaee's Sasanian Persia: The RIse and Fall of an Empire. For my own convenience (why lie?), I'm using his orthography for the emperors. Hormizd II, 302-309 CE. Yazdgird I, 399-420. Wahram V, 420-438. Peroz, 459-484. Hormizd IV, 579-590. ...And I need this one for the way the crudeness of the engraving evokes the fact that he was a usurper: Wahram VI, 590-591. Edited May 26, 2022 by JeandAcre 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougsmit Posted May 26, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 26, 2022 My favorite Sasanian is Varhran II whose coins show his then current wife and heir. There are several variations of these but they are too popular for me to have others. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 4 hours ago, Spaniard said: Lovely additions @Alegandron.. Your Ardasher III is a great example, just in case you don't know the mint is AY- Eran-Khvarrah-Shapur, Khuzistan. Lovely big bronze too with super detail for the type....Valerian's friend.. Thank you for the attribution update! Very helpful. and thanks for the kind words @JeandAcre. I guess he was a young Emperor who did not last long. Nope, I know next to nuttin’ on Sassanian history. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted May 27, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 27, 2022 Some beautiful coins shown here so far. Here is my humble example. Sasanian Empire Khusro II (AD 590 – 628) AR Drachm, BBA mint (court mint), Regnal year 30, struck ca. AD 619 / 620 Obv.: Pahlavi script at left and right. Khusro bust facing, head right, wearing winged crown with star and crescent, inside double dotted border, crescent and stars at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Rev.: Date (left) and mint mark (right). Fire altar with two attendents, inside triple dotted border, crescent and stars at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Ref.: Göbl SN type II Ex Sallent Collection, Ex JAZ Numismatics, Ex Aegean Numismatics 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Alegandron said: thanks for the kind words @JeandAcre. I guess he was a young Emperor who did not last long. Well, guess what, @Alegandron, despite your protestations to the contrary, and my having a book, you know more than me! (Nothing wrong with the book; I've never read it all the way through.) Somewhere, I'd gotten the brainworm that Ardashir was the only queen /empress to have issued coins. ...If I was confusing him with someone who matches that description --or not-- anyone would be cordially welcome to enlighten me. ...Regardless, Ardashir is Crazy Late, which I think is really cool. Edited May 27, 2022 by JeandAcre 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted May 28, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 28, 2022 @JeandAcre......Wonderful group with a nice variety of mint locations and dates...Particularly like the almost 'jester like' crown on the Hormizd II... @dougsmit........That's quite an iconic coin for me Doug, as your page on forum is why I began to collect Sassanian coinage many years ago...Very nice example.. @Curtisimo........Nice coin with sweet toning....Like BBA mint mark as I've yet to add this to my collection. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantoffel Posted May 28, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 28, 2022 On 5/27/2022 at 12:53 AM, JeandAcre said: Thanks for starting this thread, @Spaniard, and tha's a Terrific Khusro I! And may I second you on @Alegandron's Ardashir II? That kicks something or other all over the block. You said, 'pile 'em on,' so here are all the ones I have pics of, with nothing but names and regnal dates. Profound thanks are owed to Darius590 from CT for his sage advice on getting these. ...As a really solid introduction to the history, I can recommend Daryaee's Sasanian Persia: The RIse and Fall of an Empire. For my own convenience (why lie?), I'm using his orthography for the emperors. Hormizd II, 302-309 CE. Yazdgird I, 399-420. Wahram V, 420-438. Peroz, 459-484. Hormizd IV, 579-590. ...And I need this one for the way the crudeness of the engraving evokes the fact that he was a usurper: Wahram VI, 590-591. What a nice collection! 😄 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted May 28, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 28, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Spaniard said: @JeandAcre......Wonderful group with a nice variety of mint locations and dates...Particularly like the almost 'jester like' crown on the Hormizd II... @dougsmit........That's quite an iconic coin for me Doug, as your page on forum is why I began to collect Sassanian coinage many years ago...Very nice example.. @Curtisimo........Nice coin with sweet toning....Like BBA mint mark as I've yet to add this to my collection. Thanks, @Spaniard. To wallow in the obvious, I'm still very much a novice with the whole series. Even at the level of which ones to get, I had vast amounts of irreplaceable advice from Darius590 in the other forum. (Memo: so Invite him --and all those other people. It's Get-off-your-rear time....) Edited May 28, 2022 by JeandAcre 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted May 28, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 28, 2022 Next up... Sasanian Kingdom. Hormizd IV. A.D. 579-590. AR drachm (31 mm, 3.56 g, 8 h). WYHC (uncertain site)Fars or Central Iraq.. RY 12. Last year of reign 590AD Obverse..Crowned bust of Hormizd IV right, crescent on forehead, stars flanking crown . Reverse..Fire altar with attendants and ribbon, star and crescent flanking flames. Göbl Type I/1. Uncommonly the reverse is well detailed not having the flattened areas usually encountered on this rulers coins. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alwin Posted June 4, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 4, 2022 The only Sasanian coin still in my possession: ARDASHIR I (224-242) TETRADRACHM, Ctesiphon 13.43 g - 26 mm Göbl II/5/2 Bust of king right, wearing tiara. Fire altar. 9 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 Lovely example @Alwin... Here's a Peroz.. Peroz I (459-484 AD) 25.6mm / 4.05gr Silver Drachm. Obverse- Crowned and cuirassed bust of Peroz right, ribbons rising from shoulders, Degraded Pahlavi legend. Reverse- Fire altar decorated with ribbons, attendants standing either side, star left of flames, crescent at right, 'PEROZ' in Pahlavi on left, mint 'WH' right. Mint Veh Ardashir. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 (Khrusro II - LOST in mail - only coin lost) I'd much rather the Byzantine junk box package at the same time had been lost. Sorter machine problem. the replacement Crowned bust of Khushru II right, AZFUTAN KHUSHRUI in pahlavi script around / Fire altar and two attendants, regnal year (year 25 = 624/625 AD) and mint ("RAM" = Ramhormuz mint). Large silver coin, measuring 31mm, 4.17 grams. MACW 1148-1150. Darkly toned, attractive. Ex.Garth R. Drewry Collection; Ex-CNG. Others not photographed. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted June 5, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 @Nerosmyfavorite68...Nice additions...I'm sorry you lost the 2nd example☹️...But your replacement is really good looking with its dark toning.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parthicus Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 Here's three obols of the same ruler, with three distinct styles. First, a "pre-Sasanian" of Ardashir V of Persis (c. 211-224), who rebelled against his Parthian overlords and began the Sasanian epoch: Next, an obol where he has become Ardashir I (c.224-240, Shahenshah, and founder of what we recognize as the Sasanian kingdom. This is from early in his reign, where he still wears a tall Parthian-style tiara. Note also the appearance of the Zoroastrian fire-altar on reverse, which would appear on Sasanian coins to the very end (and beyond, in various imitative and derivative versions): And an obol from later in his reign, where he has adapted a more distinctly Sasanian crown and hairstyle: 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted June 10, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 10, 2022 @Parthicus...A lovely 3 coin progression and particularly like the intermediate example a tough one to acquire.... Here's a much more common coin although the mint is lot scarcer ... Khusro II AR Drachm. Bust right, wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, two wings, and star-in-crescent, ribbons and crescents on shoulders; monogram behind head, stars flanking crown, double border, star-in-crescents in margin. Fire altar with ribbons; flanked by two attendants; date in Pahlavi to left, mint to right. SK (SISTAN, Zarang) mint, dated RY 37 (AD 628). Göbl II/3, Pl. no. 212. 4.14g, 33mm, 2h.Extremely Fine. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Eidolon Posted June 10, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 10, 2022 I think my only Sasanian. Purchased ~1997. Probably one of my first ancients. I like the thinness and delicacy of these. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted June 11, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 11, 2022 I have a small set of Sassanians - nothing spectacular but I like them. Ardashir I - The first Sassanian king, and my first coin that I spent more than $200 on Shapur I - IMO the most beautiful artistry on Sassanian coinage Hormizd II Peroz, of course Kavadh I Khusro I Early type Later type Hormizd IV Khusro II Ardashir III And a favorite - Yazdgard III - minted in 651, his final regnal year, in one of the last mints he controlled, after most of Iran was already controlled by the Rashidun 8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted June 11, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) @Finn235, Your ( I hope) false modesty fools no one. Spectacular is exactly the right word. Your examples from both ends of the chronology --the ones of Ardashir I and Shapur I, followed by your Amazing one of Yazdgard III-- are lighting some fireworks. Never mind, for a minute, a fire to Ahura Mazda. I can't read a word of Pahlavi, even for mints. Heck, I'm challenged even navigating Göbl, in translation. What I get to have any real traction with are the little I know of about the historical contexts, and the esthetics of the coins themselves. But regarding the latter, your 3rd-century examples seem to go well beyond recent Parthian precedent, demonstrating the genius of the die engravers, and their broader immediate milieu. On this level, the one of Shapur I evokes Hellenistic tetradrachms (which were likely still thick on, never mind in the ground) only more emphaatically than more recent Parthian or Roman precedent. I have to be reminded of those amazing figurative AE issues from various Turks as of the 12th c. CE, often riffing on similar Hellenisic and early Roman imperial prototypes. ...The one of Yazdgard II just Kicks something All Over the Block, for being as late as it is. Truly astounding stuff. Edited June 11, 2022 by JeandAcre 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted June 11, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) Very impressive examples, coin-gang ... great coins! Ummm, I have a couple of sassy examples ... Sassanian Kingdom, Peroz I AR Drachm (below) Date: 459-484 AD Diameter: 28.1 mm Weight: 4.1 grams Obverse: Bust of Peroz Reverse: Fire altar with attendants at sides Ex-stevex6 Byzantine Empire, Sassanian occupation of Egypt Æ 12 Nummi / Khusro II (below)Date: Circa 618-628 AD Measure: 19.66 mm Weight: 8.26 grams Obverse: Cuirassed bust of Khusro facing, wearing crown with simple cross, star to left, C to right Reverse: Cross on globe between I-B, AΛEΣ in exergue Attribution: DOC 191; SB 855 Notes: A very nice example of this scarcer type Ex-stevex6 Edited June 11, 2022 by Steve 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted June 11, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 11, 2022 @Steve, that occupied Alexandria 12 nummi is Astounding. ...I've wanted one of those for years, as context for my Aksumite stuff. Absolutely amazing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted June 12, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 12, 2022 I don't have much new to add to the fabulous coins already posted, but these are great coins to collect if quite hard to attribute. Yazdegerd II Drachm, 438-457 Qom or Gorgān. Silver, 4.03g (SNS# 459, Type Ib1/2b). 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted June 12, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 12, 2022 Wonderful coins everyone! A lovely mix of early and late types... One of my favourites has got to be @Finn235 Shapur I , what a stunning coin Steve the portrait is absolutely amazing! A real polaroid of the times... I'm going to drop the standards a little 🤪..... Not the nicest looking coin but quite a tough acquisition to acquire and anyone who has flames on their shoulders gets my respect ... Sassanian Drachm of Valkash 484 - 488 C.E. Obverse: Bust of King Valkash to right, wearing mural crown with korymbos set on crescent, ribbon on left shoulder, flames on right Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons and head of Valkash to right on shaft, flanked by two attendants, star and crescent flanking flames. Mint LYH Rev-Ardashir Khuzistan. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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