Ancient: Shapur I

Here is someone who was #2 on my list. I acquired this fellow a few weeks prior to Otho at basically a stolen price. Some folks like Chris & Randy have seen it already & the price I paid, but since I have some free time I figured it was time to share.

For anyone who doesnt know, he was one of the roman empires biggest headaches for decades, even capturing Valarian I.

Whether he used Valerian as a footstool is doubtful but a fun story thats gone through history.


Sasanian Kingdom, Shapur I (241-272 A.D.)
AR drachm
O: Bust of Shapur I right, wearing diadem and decorated tiara terminating in eagle head.
R: Fire altar flanked by two attendants wearing diadems and mural crowns.
4.33g
Göbl type I/1

 

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Very nice coin.
What did ya pay for it?

 

Sweet coin, Mat ... that's a nice Sasanian Kingdom addition! (congrats)

Ummm, I have a Sassy example as well, but my coin is 200 years younger than your fine specimen ...

Sassanian Kingdom, Peroz I AR Drahm
Peroz I & Fire Altar Attendants
459-484 AD

 

Nice Shapur I coin.

I've got this one which I believe cost $40 in 2013. We have been looking at some much nicer specimens recently but this will remain as my Shapur I for the time being.

 

A cool addition, one I'm keeping an eye out for as well. I do have aValerian Ant.




Valerian I, October 253 - c. June 260 A.D.
Billon antoninianus, Göbl MIR 1700l (Samosata), RIC V 287 (Antioch), SRCV III 9967 (uncertain Syrian mint), Fine or better, Syrian mint, 258 - 260 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse RESTITVT ORIENTIS (restorer of the East), turreted female (the Orient) presenting wreath to the Emperor standing left holding spear, pellet in wreath above; Ex Forvm

"The false propaganda on the reverse is particularly ironic considering Valerian's fate. After years of war and great losses, Valerian arranged peace talks with the Sasanian Persian emperor Sapor. He set off with a small group to discuss terms and was never seen again. In Rome it was rumored that Sapor was using his stuffed body as a footstool."

 

Really nice coin, Mat - great detail and character.

 

For those who like to study something just a little bit different, it is hard to beat Sasanian coins. They are quite different looking from their Roman and Byzantine contemporaries. Some of the rulers have really interesting life stories (certainly including Shapur and Valerian). While not all do, many of the cheapest silver drachms are clearly labeled as to mint and date IF you can learn to read the script used on the coins. Believe me that is a very big IF! Each ruler wore a different crown so it is possible to identify the coins even if your commeand of the language is non-existent. While many are on the thin side, there is no ancient series that offers larger silver for a lower price. Some will complain they all look alike but the fact is that there are a lot of varieties. With all the mints that were used, there are seemingly endless opportunities for collecting in minute detail if that is your desire. There are many common coins and a few considerable rarities that might look the same to someone who does not know the series. I would love to find a sleeper of Queen Boran misidentified as Kushru or something cheap. Dream on.

 

Are you sure yours is not a Shapur II Collect? Looks like it to me, an early issue. Shapur II was the great transitional king. Early in his reign the coins had fine style, like yours, while later in the reign they become more like Peroz's issues. I have seen some as nice as the Hormizd II coin doug shows, which was the immediately preceeding emperor to Shapur II. He reigned for over 70 years, so its understable styles changed.

Doug, good luck finding a misattributed Boran. Remember, she didn't have a beard and had pony tails. Kind of hard to miss.

Nice coin Matt. I find all early Sassanid coins very attractive. For those who want some REAL variety, check out Ardashir issues. As the first reign, they were still trying to figure out what a sassanid coin should look like, so there are tons of varieties in his coinage.

 

The nerve of that woman! No Beard? What is the world coming to? I will hold on to hope.

 

Great coins Doug, ive seen a few of them before. I'd like to get more of these but other then Khusru II, most look expensive.

 

What always surprises me about these coins is that you don't see much clipping. You would think that with all the unstruck space at the edges, they would have gotten clipped much more often.

 

Some were, but many of these coins were the standard trade coin along the silk road. As such, they traded at bullion value, so we're weighed. Clipping does you no good if they are going to be weighed anyway.

 

Very nice OP coin. Another one I do not have.

 

very nice mat, that guy is at the top of my list. here's my only straight up sasanian..my first coin show purchase.

 

Did some one post a Sassanid Coins? Well played Matt!

Yall miss me?

I have been called out to post my most recent double play.

Persia, The Sassanid Kingdom
Ctesiphon, Iraq
Shapur I The Great King Shah of Persia (240 -272 AD)
AR Drachm 24.5 mm x 4.11 grams
Obv. Bust of Shapur I right with earring; crown with ear flap. Pahlavi script- "The Mazda Worshiper. the divine Shapur, King of Kings of Iran whom descended from the Gods.
Rev. Zoroastrian Alter with Two Attendants.-Pahlavi script-"The Fire of Shapur"



I see the Shapur and raise you an Ardashir I

Ctesiphon, Iraq
Ardashir I
Ar Drachm 24.6 mm x 4.13 grams
Obverse: Cuirassed bust of Ardashir I right in Parthian Headdress. Pahlavi legend- MAZDISN BAGI ARTAHSHATER MALKAN AIRAN"of the worshiper of Mazda, the divine Ardashir, King of Kings of Iran"
Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Alter with two attendants Pahlavi legend "NURAZI ARTASHATR "Fire of Ardashir"
ref:Gobl type III/2

 

Yes. We were about to send out a search and rescue team. You should really check in more often. It's the obsessive, er...I mean, considerate thing to do.

 

Great stuff, AN.

 

Noobster! Where have you been? I have tons of coins that maybe only you and maybe THCoins might be interested in. I haven't posted any in a long time since my den still is not put together, but I have been buying quite a bit.

Edit: Ok, maybe Ardatirion too!

 

My friend with the Gobl Sassanian Numismatics book just checked it (again) for me. He says it is Shapur I. Amongst other things, the crown on Shapur II is smaller (and the coins become more crude after Shapur I as you mentioned).

I am at a disadvantage because I do not yet own Gobl.

 

Ok Im in whip 'em out.