I have been expanding my collection, albeit slowly due to work commitments. I purchased this several months ago but never got around to posting it. This was mainly due to the fact that I wanted to transcribe the coin (among others) using Unicode. Unfortunately, Book Pahlavi is yet to be added to unicode, so I just got to wait... Sasanian Empire: Yazdgird III (632-651) AE Pashiz, Ardaxšir-xvarrah Obv: Crowned bust right Rev: Fire altar flanked by attendants; star and crescent flanking flames; date to left; mint to right
Very attractive! And can you read the date? I have this one, it's very sharp. But I can't read the date. Sasanian empire, AE pashiz, Yazdgard III (632-651). ST mint. 12 x 15 mm, 1.24 gr. Cf. Göbl type I/1 (drachm). An amorphous piece of copper with a finely detailed relief. The head as impersonal as any of the later Sasanian portraits, still looking a bit tired and sad - but that's my interpretation..
Wow that is super sharp! Unfortunately, I can't read the date either...Its supposed to be Year 11, but I can't make heads or tails of it...
Very nice! I have a couple of Sasanian bronzes, here's a pashiz of Khusro II (590-628): I think building a collection of Sasanian bronze coins, in high grade, is even harder than building an equivalent collection of Parthian bronzes.
Most certainly. Maybe also because they are thin, delicate and often angular, not round and dumpy. But they are also less 'Greek', more challenging to Western eyes. There's much to scrutinize, there are many new variants to discover. AE 1/12 unit Kavad I, 499-505. Obv. Crowned bust in pearl rim, moon and star outside it. Rev. Fire altar with assistants, moon and star between them. 12 mm, 0.40 gr. Cf. Göbl 186, crown II, rev. year of reign 13-19. And there's the much more varied area of Arab-Sasanian (local) copper coinage. Much of these were based on Sasanian examples, like Arab-Sasanian silver, but more fanciful. I must confess the silver Arab-Sasanian drachms and half-drachms are getting a bit tiring, to me at last. Sasanian or Arab-Sasanian AE, late 6th or 7th century. Obv. Uncertain Sasanian bust right. Rev. Fire altar with ribbons; attendants flanking. 14 mm, 0.5 gr. Zeno 197112. Comment on the CNG website, where I bought this coin: Evidence of possible flip over double strike, as well as possible undertype. Interesting. This coin may be an official Sasanian issue, or possibly an early Islamic issue of Arab-Sasanian type. Only further research, especially with the possible undertype can untangle this Gordian Knot.
Nice example! I also purchased a piece of Sassanian Pashiz issued by Yazdgard III recently. Sadly it's hard for me to read the date and mint name on the reverse. Do you have any ideas? Sasanian empire, Æ pashiz (17x15 mm, 0.56g), Yazdgard III (632-651). Uncertain(AI?) mint.
Interesting coin types! Islamic, Umayyad Caliphate. Time of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan to al-Walid I ibn 'Abd al-Malik. AH 65-96 / AD 685-715. Æ Pashiz (24mm, 0.72g, 3h). Arab-Sasanian type. Uncertain Fars or Khuzestan mint. Struck circa AH 70-90 (AD 689-709). Obv: Facing busts of Heraclius (older) and Heraclius Constantine (younger), both wearing chlamys and elaborate crown with cross; cross in field above; pseudo-legend around. Rev: Cross potent on three steps. Ref: Curiel & Gyselen, Monnaies –; SICA I –; Geyselen Type 81; Walker, Arab-Sasanian –; Album 43B; ICV –. Brown patina, double strike on reverse. Very Fine, struck on a broad flan. Ex CNG.
