Here is four coins from four different regions, spread over a period of about three centuries. All four coins depict a King or Shah wearing a fabulous head dress or crown. The three and one might take a little imagination have virtually the same headdress. The all feature the a winged crown atop the head of the facing right. In Europe in ancient times, we see similar things occurring. Various cultures minted coins of like motif, but yet in different styles. This is most common with Celtic coins who imitate the right facing bust of Apollo with a person on horse back, in a motif similar to that of Philip II of Macedon. It became common place in the ancient world to make and accept coins that - well looked like coins. Having a face on the front and the horseman on the back. This is what made a little piece of metal its recognizable merit. The same thing appears in Asia as well. Limited by my collection I can show three coins of different cultures in different times who made coins to be circulated and fully recognizable as a coin, in a style coveted by these seemingly very different people. It is thought that the Sassanian Persian Style of coins came into popularity in Central Asia as a result of first trade and then with the large ransom of coins paid to various Nomadic tribes in tribute, the most common being that of the Persian Shah Peroz. In Central Asia- this is what a real coin looked like and is probably the preferred imagery. I am sure there are other collectors who know more and would like to share there coins and incites into these interesting coins. Any additions, comments, suggestions are encourage and appreciated. Persia, The Sassanid Kingdom Khusro II The Great King Shah of Persia (590-628 AD) Minted during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad. AR 31.5mm x 0.8mm Drachm (4.13g) Obverse: Portrait of the King Khusro II wearing great hat. 3 moons and stars in concentric rings. Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire temple altar with 2 attendants. Concentrics rings, 4 moons and stars. White Huns AR Drachm Senmerv Crown Type. Tri-lingual. Nezak (Nspk) Huns Kingdom of Zabul Vakhu (Vasu)-Deva, Sub-ruler of Shahi Tigin Circa Mint = ZAM (in pehlevi), date = 65 (685 AD) 31.8 mm x 3.33g. Obverse: Bust of Vasu Deva right in Persian style. Bull head above crown ; 'thunderbolt' countermark, Gold plug countermark. Brahmi legend in field. Cursive Bactrian Greek Legend around. Reverse: Zoroastrian fire altar and attendants. Pahlavi legend in fields, Cursive Bactrian Greek Legend around. Note: Holed. Gold Plugged. Ref. Göbl Hunnen Em. 244 India Period of Pratihara Supremacy, Pratitkara - Pala (c. 780-980 AD) AR Drachm 19.1 mm x 21.5 mm x 4.13 g Anonymous Issue Obv. Stylized bust of Firuz with a turreted and winged crown. SRI DAMA in Brahmi. Rev. Stylized Zoroastrian fire alter with attendants on both sides. The reference was given as...Mitchiner 364 by a reputable dealer. The dealer did say that the coins of this type were of unknown provenance and that they were found in Gujarat and Malwa but no one knows who issued them. India Saurashta and Gujarat Anonymous Issue (800-950AD) AR drachm 17.2 mm x 4.00 g Obverse: Stylized bust of Khushrau right. With degraded dots for legends, Reverse: Stylized Zoroastrian fire alter. Ref: Mitchener 422
I do like some of those coins you posted, very unique. Although, I'll be honest, a lot of coins from this region are just too odd looking. lol I am interested in getting one of those large but thin silver Drachm coins in the future for sure.
Heck Anoob, you can do about every Sassanid ruler, all had unique hats until the end. My favorite hats have always been bashliks worn by early Parthian rulers: Its the coin in the upper left. Sorry its not better.
Lol, I guess its perspective. Those look more "normal" to me than most other ancients posted. Btw, the Nezak issue I always hate how they describe it as "holed and plugged". Its not, its intentionally indented with a punch, and then filled with gold at the mint. This was to raise the circulation value of the coin. WHY they did that we don't know, but it sure as heck not "holed and plugged".
Yes I have see that before- I don't own any but I see this hat on coins of the Mithridates era.Most of those coins are over the top expensive, I have only seen a few "affordable" bronzes.
You SHOULD change that Bing and get some Central Asian Coins, well at least Persian coins.- I think you have reached that point in your life. :dead-horse:
Actually, the bashlik issues are either from Arsaces, Arsaces II, or "Phriapates to Mithradates". I got this one pretty reasonably. This is one of the "Phriapates to Mithradates" issues. A bashlik also appears rarely on some other central asian issues.
A-Noob ... sadly, I don't have any coins from Carthage "yet" ... => but hey, I heard that your ancient Asian buddies used to love kickin' it old-school with this guy => Hermes => aka, "The Lid"
Whot... No coins from Carthage in this thread This is about the Persians and their successors! BTW, what a Beautiful coin...
Great coin's...Here's a one of mine.. Tabaristan.. 711- 789..AD.. Half Dirham AR Abbassid.. Governors of Tabaristan.. 23mm x 1.63g..
WOW! Eng you don't mess around. I am loving the Persian Hats. I really have a soft spot for that Tabaristan. Thats an Awesome piece. The Khusro II is just absurdly nice, Kudos my friend.
Like the others I don't think I'll be going out of my comfort zone anytime soon, but I still find them interesting. Plus its always nice to see those wide silver Persian coins.
Tabaristan is interesting. Did you know coins from Tabaristan are basically historical proof of how the Sassanid empire fell? They were issued by a powerful Parthian family. The Parthians finally had enough of the house of Sasan, and made a side deal with the Arabs. As a reward, they were allowed to strike their own coins for a period of time after the fall of Sassanid Persia. Anyone interested in this time period, I would highly recommend "Decline and Fall of the Sassanid Empire". Great stuff, (boy am I a geek).
