My first Sassanian coin

Sweet coin! I still don't have one to share ;_;

 

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=> Yup Smeag, that was my original strategy ... sure, I may try to snag another nicer and/or rarer example at some point, but this one came along at a nice-price, so I figured I'd snag it and move-on to my next random coin target ...

Sassanian Kingdom, 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

 

I always liked Sassanian coins since I was a boy. I'm careful buying original Sassanians because I only want excellent condition. And Xusro II is often in disappointing style and execution. But the best of the Xusro II's are impressive large silver coins with a Bluto-ish countenance.
There are many imitations in all directions, Indian thick little coins and Hunnic masters of the game, and sloppy, countermarked billon coins that are still very much to my taste. Here's a drachm of Peroz (about 475) and a Hunnic Kidarite coin (about 400), that's in fact better than its examples. And a billon Hephthalite imitation of the early 6th century. All of these are thin 27-30 mm coins.

 

Really nice examples, great detail. I should be getting my AV Dinar from Hunnic imitation of Peroz I AV Dinar. It astonishing how the Sassanians imitated Kushan coinage/ Huns did the same with Sassanian. Yet the Sassanians never copied Parthian coinage.

 

Panzerman, I admire and envy your Sassanian gold dinar. I never managed to buy one. But I have a Kidarite dinar, a large and thin scyphate coin, an impressive piece.
By the way, the first Sassanian coins have some elements in common with the Parthian tetradrachms and the Pars coins (originally, the Sassanians were the ruling dynasty of the province of Pars, petty kings).

 

Here's a silver drachm of Kavad, about 495 (only the patina is black) and a bronze Sassanian imitation coin of the Nezak Huns, about 600. The first is from Karzi in the southwest of Iran, the second from Southern Tokharestan, i.e. North Afghanistan.

 

It is interesting how many coins of this group are harder to find with decent reverses. Obverses tend to be better. Few are as bad as my Napki Malek.

 

That's not strange, the obverse show the ruler's portrait and his very particular crown, in a tradition of four centuries. The reverse had the same tradition, but after the first century of changing minute details, it stayed the same: fire altar between two figures. They just weren't interested anymore, as long as the coin was acceptable to their trade partners.

 

Did this turn into a Hun thread?

 

Huns and other Sassanian imitations, yes.

 

I just came home from work, noticed my new book arrived. "The Sunrise Collection" of coins from 650BC-650AD. Excellent book! It shows all coins in full colour/also many enlargements/ very good history/ coin descriptions. Again, this work focuses on coinage from the Lydians, Persians, Parthians, Sassanians.

 

The Sunrise collection, that was a real top bunch, wasn't it?

 

Yes, I looked thru the book....remarkable collection. He had about every known Persian/Parthian/Sassanian/Hunnic/Bactrian coin...all in top quality. I counted 100+ AV Sassanian coins!

 

...but did he have one of these?

 

Noob-Dude... Ummm I'm a noobster here... what is it?

 

Hunnic Tribes, Nezak Huns.
Sahi Tigin. Circa AD 710-720. BI Drachm.
28.50mm, 2.80g. Kapisa-Kabul mint.
Obv: Diademed and crowned bust right. CPI TOΓINI ÞOYO In cursive Bactrian Greek.
Rev: Fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two attendants. “Srima dive” in Brahmi down to right of altar shaft, [“pare Sri down to left].
Ref: Gobl, Dokumente Em. 206, MACW -. Zeno #20999.
Note: Good very fine. Rare specially at this condition.

 

The Sunrise book only shows a Nezak Huns AR Drachm Vasudeva circa 720AD Zabulistan/Sistan Mint, and another example from Ghazni Mint/ uncertain ruler...
John

Your coin is very rare!

 

OOooooo... You guys said HUNS, specifically NEZAK HUNS... ME GOT ONE!


Nezak Huns, Spalapati Deva
AR Jital, AD 750-850
Obv.: Horseman right holding lance.
Rev.: Bull left, Sarada script.
Reference: Tye 5.
EX: Ionnes Antonius Dudus ( @John Anthony )