Ancient - My first Sassanian - Khusro II

Allen Berman suggested that it might be possible to date this coin more precisely than A.D. 240-272. Does anyone at CT have a more precise date on this puppy?

Suposedly, the obverse text states: “The Mazda worshipper, the divine Shahpur, king of kings of Iran who is descendent from the Gods” Reverse text apparently states “Fire of Shahpur”.

 

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Yes! Sylloge Nummorum Sassanidarum categorizes these by mints and breaks them down into different issues, primarily based on stylistic or typological variations.

I'll give Chris a chance to takes his books for a spin before I look it up.

 

I can try to do it tonight, but with two youngins I always am crunched for time. Heck, I have 30-40 of my own Sassanids in the SDB not properly attributed.

 

The name of the book is as cool as the coin. I was surprised to find "Sylloge Nummorum Sassanidarum" available from Walmart.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sylloge-Nummorum-Sasanidarum-Paris-Berlin-Wien/19531473
Now that I know about the book I might be interested in a used copy someday.

 

That is the second book, but trust me that is a good price if anyone eevr wishes to research more about Sassanid coins. I have never seen that book that cheap, and have never seen a used one for sale yet.

 

As usual I'm a little confused. Is this the correct book & the only book that I need or is it just book #2 of a series of books with the same title "Sylloge Nummorum Sassanidarum" ?

 

For SNS, the book you posted was book #2. Book #1 covers Ardashir and his son Shapur I believe. I believe they are planning 5 books total, but have never heard for sure. There are currently 3 books in the series out.

 

I would go with SNS 16, shpwhry mint. Type IIc, style A, group C. Its an earlier style so earlier in the reign.

 

I might suggest volume 2 out of 5 planned may not be the way to break into a new (to you) series although this is a low price compared to others I have found. I'm just not quite that interested in the series. There are also other SNS editions listing coins in other museums (the OP book is three listed museums and larger than the others). I believe there is even one listing only coins in Uzbekistan that are not in the three listed museums including copies by Huns etc. that some here might find really interesting. Again, I'm just not ready to buy every book on Sasanian that I would if I were the CNG librarian, for example.

The book I'd like to see before I buy is more expensive and won't have as many Sasanian coins but claims to cover a lot more of the general area which would probably be more up my alley. However, I have not seen a critical review of the book that would answer my $175 question. Don't buy it based on my mention but if you see one, look at it for me and tell me what you see. I don't think book publishers work very hard at promoting their books to those of us who only want books that fit our needs. I have bought books that strike me as a waste of money and books that really made me glad I took the risk. Any clue as to which category a new release falls in is really hard to find unless you count the blurb written by the publisher telling what the book is but not how successful it is at being just what we all have been hoping someone would publish.
http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=201395

 

While I'm being negative: The most common Sasanians are Khusro II. Coins of his (late) period tend to have both mint and date information spelled out in a script that makes "It's Greek to me" a kindergarten level statement. With practice I can figure out most mints and have a pretty good idea about half of the dates on coins in good condition. Earlier Sasanian kings did not include mint and date information but did sometimes write other things (like their names) on the coins. That means it is possible to buy a coin and beat your head against the wall only to realize later that the issue was not open dated or mintmarked. At the very least that means you should not hold a dealer's feet to the fire expecting something that he can not supply. Yes, scholars may date these earlier issues and assign mints according to style patterns and such guesstimates might best be taken as something we are glad to know but not something we can bet will still be considered valid after the next scholar puts out a critical reevaluation of the whole mess. That is what we call 'numismatics'.

 

SassanianKingdom, Peroz I AR Drachm
Date: 459-484 AD
Diameter: 28.1 mm
Weight: 4.1 grams
Obverse: Bust of Peroz
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants at sides




=> a bit like willieboyd2's and Collect89's coins on page-1, this version of mine doesn't have any of the symbols at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock (I guess I should also invest in the book and try and learn a lot more about the coins that I already own, eh?)

 

Doug, if it helps I have the Sunrise collection book and am finding I am using it more and more. It also has some great, up to date history as well. If you have any specific questions I would be more than happy to answer them.

My main problem with the book is its literally a high end collection publication. Examples of problems this creates is under the kushan. Tons and tons of gold coins, but not as many copper. For most collectors, they would want just the opposite. I wished they used the collection as an excuse to publish this book, but filled in other issues from other sources to make it more comprehensive, especially at the lower end of the spectrum.

Still, like I said, its being next to my bed more and more these days.

 

Peroz coins always are close to my heart due to his intricate involvment with the hepthalites and kidarites. Did you know Steve this coin might have been struck to ransom Peroz or his son away from the Huns? Your coin has a lot more potential history than most.

 

Fascinating stuff, medoraman => no, I must try and look-up the Peroz history (thanks for adding even more "awesomeness" to this coin!!)

 

well....eh, why not...?