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Posted (edited)

I picked up my first Sassanian coin from the FSR recent sale. It features Khusru II (590-628) regarded as antagonist of the Byzantines and perhaps the last great ruler of the dynasty. 

Type: AR Drachm, 4.15 grams 32mm

Obv: Khusru bearded and crowned portrait right, crescent and star in 4 quadrants

Rev: Zoroastrian fire altar with two attendants, crescent and star in 4 quadrants

Year 29. Jayy mint

Overall a nice coin and quite memorable.

PXL_20250103_222529351.jpg.f2a040c9cc9c620af1dab9c6ed16fadd.jpg

PXL_20250103_222537775.jpg.4f733c7a3bb4d379faa47084bad8e609.jpg

Edited by Ancient Coin Hunter
  • Like 15
Posted

kus11.jpg.4ccd9963c9b57182ec728ff7c0e2946f.jpg

Chosroes II (Khusro II) (591-628 A.D.

)Sasanian Empire
AR Drachm
O: GDH apzwt | hwslwb
Facing bust, head right, wearing winged crown with star and crescent, inside double dotted-border, crescents with stars at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock.
R: sycsyh | RD
Fire altar with two attendants standing facing, both hands on sword hilt, crescents on heads, all inside triple dotted-border, crescents with stars at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock.
Year 33 (622/623)
LYW for Rev-Ardashir
4.1g
32mm
Göbl SN, Xusro II, IIb/3 (Plate XIII/211-215); Valentine 50

  • Like 11
Posted

Khusro II drachms are by far the most common Sasanian coins, unsurprising considering his long reign (38 years) and the dozens of mints issuing coins.  They are often available in high grade and relatively inexpensive.  I currently have 30 drachms of Khusro II, of various mints and dates.  My most recently-acquired is this coin I bought at the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo in November 2024, mintmark GD (Jayy) and dated Year 27:

image.jpeg.70c62c732e62d7200e981a86bfea7935.jpeg

 

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  • Benefactor
Posted
1 hour ago, Parthicus said:

Khusro II drachms are by far the most common Sasanian coins, unsurprising considering his long reign (38 years) and the dozens of mints issuing coins.  They are often available in high grade and relatively inexpensive.  I currently have 30 drachms of Khusro II, of various mints and dates.  My most recently-acquired is this coin I bought at the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo in November 2024, mintmark GD (Jayy) and dated Year 27:

image.jpeg.70c62c732e62d7200e981a86bfea7935.jpeg

 

So we are saying Khosrau is like Gordie III of Sassanian coins? 🤪

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  • Big Smile 1
Posted (edited)

An excellent coin @Ancient Coin Hunter Husrav, Khusrau, Xusro, Khusru, Khusru, Khusraw, Xusraw, Xosrow, Chosroes, Khosrow, Khusro, Khosrow...- my biggest problem with this coin is figuring out how to spell the king's name...

Year: image.png.695d2c83014aafea45891a263a41e16b.png

Mint: image.png.57111ff93b4b1a1b42ac0348bb1a7725.png

King: image.png.d739946e70425a7c60df7b256fcd2496.png  'hwslwb', or Khusro

KhusroIISasaniandrachm.jpg.fefd3e77e490ca87f9c72a5843bea13f.jpg

Here are some notes relevant to this king:

"The True Cross became famous over the centuries as it performed miracle after miracle. According to the legend, the Sassanian king Chosroes II (590-628; Khosrau in Persian [a.k.a. Husrav]) coveting its power, stole the relic and used it to subjugate his citizens. Heraclius, Emperor of Byzantium, in A.D. 628 came with his troops to rescue the cross by force." -TravelingInTuscany.com, Piero della Francesca

https://www.sullacoins.com/post/heraclius-a-sicilian-countermark

 

Edited by Sulla80
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  • Yes 1
Posted

Also from the last Frank Robinson auction, my first purchase from him. Great coin and I must say it makes a nice change not to be hit with buyer's premium and excessive shipping charges. Yes I know auctioneers need to make a profit but still...

afzut.jpg.1e30cd047960f1cef229e68d87a9973c.jpg

 

Tabaristan AR Hemidrachm. 1.76g, 23mm. Anonymous AFZWT series. Tabaristan mint, PYE 132 AD 783/4 (?) Crowned Sasanian-style bust to right; GDH ('kingship' in Pahlawi) behind head, 'AFZWT' ('may increase' in Pahlawi) before head; APD and NYWKW in outer margin / Fire altar flanked by attendants; star and crescent flanking flames. SICA I, 428; Album 73
 

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