Sasanian and Early Islamic Coins

Varhran VI

Shapur II

Khusro II in the Byzantine Style Alexandria Mint.

Ardashir III

Yazdegard III


wew...

 

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After that it gets a little hairy... Bukhara
In the name of Abbasid Caliph Al-Mahdi

 

This coin is properly an Arab-Bukharan or Arab-Sogdian coin. They struck these before the Arab conquest, but this is an example of post Arab rule. For those who cannot see it its a derivative of Sassnid coins with a fire alter and two attendants on the reverse. Its thought the Hepthalites, (who controlled Sogdia at the time), struck these after being pushed out of eastern Iran by the Arabs, and then continued after the Arabs conquered Bukhara.

 

They did strike these just before and after the Arab conquest of the area. I must disagree with you on not being derivative of Sassanian coinage. The bust is often described as that of Peroz, although I believe these are supposed to imitate the style of Shapur II. Notice consistency in the reverse types of Shapur II and the motif of the Mazda in the fire altar. Not many emperors issued coins with the Mazda on fire in the altar. This coin actually has the whole Zoroastrian trinity for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I agree with you to an extent. I don't believe these are continuations of Khusro II with the winged crown type. You know like the Tabaristan fractions. I bet you they are not "Peroz Imitations" either. If anything these coins are types are Sassanian derivatives from an earlier period, separated from the standard style, then encountered by the Arabs 250 or so years later.

Excellent discussion without a doubt!

 

I think you misunderstand sir. I am saying they ARE a derivative, but was saying "for those of you who do not see there is a fire alter and attendants on the reverse". I actually have an Islamic coin from Bukhara that I am convinced they emulated this style in words as well. From a distance it looks like a bust, but getting closer to the coin you see its really words, but they are shaped like the bust on your coin.

Btw, I agree its a derivative of Shapur II coins, specifically coins from the Merv mint. We are unsure whether Hepthalites or Sassanids struck the coin, but it has a unique look to it that later Bukhara copied.

Interesting coin to be sure. For years I always wished to own one but never had the chance, now there has been some recent finds and they are available. I own maybe a dozen pre and post Islamic examples. If anyone wants to know where they can purchase one, just ask.

 

Good thing. Now I know we are in the same camp.

 

Today I found an ex-CNG coin I was looking for a while. and that is a sasanian Narseh coin. I am trying to focus on sasanian dynasty mainly now and trying to complete all kings with different style of bust and crown and Narseh is a Unique one. His crown style is quite phenomenal . I am so happy I found this coin on Ebay today and got it for 200$ which is less that what was sold few years back on CNG Anyone who has Narseh or other interesting Sasanian lets share them now !

Narseh (Narsē). AD 293-303. AR Drachm (25mm, 3.61 g, 3h) ex-CNG
ELECTRONIC AUCTION 373, LOT 235

 

hephthalites pushed out by the arabs? did the former have any cohesion after their defeat by the sassanid-turkic alliance in the 570-580s?

 

Not really according to my understanding. After their defeat at the hands of the Persian-Turkic alliance, they continued to hold isolated areas, but their central power forever crushed.