A nice Kushano-Sasanian bronze

[Parthicus]

Kushano-Sasanians.  AE 15 (2.33 g, 15 mm).  Peroz II Kushanshah (c. 325- 330).  Obverse: Bust of Kushanshah right, wearing crown with crescent and "artichoke" ornament, inscription in Pahlavi around "PYRUChYS MaLKA" (Peroz the King).  Reverse: Altar with Ahura Mazda rising out, carrying wreath and scepter; Pahlavi legend around.  Mitchiner ACW 1288.  This coin: Pars Coins Bargain eSale 27, lot 109 (October 18, 2024).

The newly formed Sasanian Persian Empire conquered territories in Bactria, Gandhara, and Sogdiana from the Kushans about 225, and shortly afterwards set the area up under a series of governors who took the title of Kushanshah (King of the Kushans). Little is known of their history except from scattered inscriptions and their coins. The Kushanshahs issued coins in their own names, although some shared their names with kings of the main Sasanian line, distinguished only by their title of Kushanshah. The coins contain a mix of Kushan-derived and Sasanian-derived designs. Around 360 the Kidarite Huns conquered most of the region, and what was left was absorbed by the Sasanians into their main territory, ending the line of Kushanshahs.

This type is very clearly Sasanian-derived in all its main design elements and in its choice of language for the inscriptions.  There's not much else to say, given the paucity of historical information, except that I like the portrait of the king, and the reverse type showing the god manifesting at his altar is a nice way to visualize the imminent presence of the Divine during worship.  Please share your Kushano-Sasanian coins.

[JAZ Numismatics]

Love the blue patina. Beautiful!

Edited November 10, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[Sulla80]

I like the crescent and "artichoke" ornament - nice coin @Parthicus.  Here's another (earlier) Kushano-Sasanian ruler:

Hormizd I, circa AD 265-295. AE mint in Baktria, probably Balkh.

Obv: Draped bust of Hormizd I to right, wearing crown with decorated korymbos and a lion's head; before head, 'AWHRMYZDY MLKA' ('Hormiz King' in Pahlawi); in upper left field, tamgha.

Rev: Exalted God emerges from fire altar, holding diadem in his right hand and long spear in his left.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

That's a really nice one!  It even has the legends.

I only have one, an unphotographed and decrepit example, from Alex Malloy's 1990's era catalog, when he had the paper catalog,with various fixed-price entries which he had in bulk

[CPK]

Very nice @Parthicus!

[velarfricative]

Here is an issue of Peroz I, with the legends in Bactrian. The reverse has a fire altar with the deity emerging from the flames.