Newp from Marc Breitsprecher (I'm expanding my horizons a bit)

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by lordmarcovan, Apr 18, 2018.

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  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    My first Sasanian. Been browsing Sasanian and Parthian stuff a little, to branch out into non-classical ancient civilizations a bit.

    I sort of wanted something with a fire altar on it, and this Khosrow II drachm seemed reasonable to me, on a gut level.

    I liked the toning and the fact that it's datable to one particular year (ca. 611 AD in this case), which I thought was neat. I asked Marc (the dealer formerly known as "Ancient Imports") about how these were dated, and he provided me with a link to this page.

    So now my horizons are thus broadened a tiny bit.

    Sasanian Empire. Khusro II AR Drachm / Fire Altar

    [​IMG]

    Attribution: Mitchiner A. & C. W. 1188
    Date: 611 AD
    Obverse: Bust of king right wearing winged crown
    Reverse: Fire altar with two attendants
    Size: 26.44 mm
    Weight: 2.48 grams
    Description: good Fine+
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
    lordmarcovan, Apr 18, 2018
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  3. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Well done and very nice coin with great eye appeal. Agree that it is great that it is dated, do you know where the date is? It's okay
    I just read the Beast coins info sheet, apparently it is on the left of the fire attendant.
     
    Ancient Aussie, Apr 18, 2018
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  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Yeah, I certainly didn't know beforehand. In fact, I did not even recognize the "squiggles" as being alphabetical or a date, in this case. My eye just took them in as being part of the design.

    Learning can be fun.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
    lordmarcovan, Apr 18, 2018
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  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Good: The date reverse left and mint reverse right are clear. The coin is well struck and attractively toned.
    Bad: The edges of the coin have been trimmed dowm reducing the weight of the piece. These should be broad with borders. The one below is 3.7g.
    oa1010bb2483.jpg

    There are many mints and this king ruled many years. His coins are common. He was an interesting guy. Research him. Mitchiner lists many of these (but far from all) in various date/mint combinations. 1188 is not a match but it is this king. You will find his name transliterated many ways including Xusro and Chosroes - same king.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosrow_II
     
    dougsmit, Apr 18, 2018
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Thanks. I did notice the edges were a little "close", but didn't realize it was that drastically clipped/trimmed until I saw your piece by comparison (and the weight variance). Reckon I'll watch out for that if I ever buy another, but I guess this ain't bad for a first purchase.
     
    lordmarcovan, Apr 18, 2018
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  7. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Way to dip your toe in! Here's mine:

    [​IMG]
    Khusru II, Sassanian Kingdom, AD 590-628
    AR, 31.5mm, 4.12g, 2h
    Obv.: Bust of Sassanian king facing right wearing winged crown
    Rev.: Fire altar flanked by two attendants

    I like it when the attendants are clear like yours are...mine are a little jumbled with the background.

    I have yet to add a Parthian but I really want to.
     
    Jwt708, Apr 18, 2018
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  8. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Very nice stretching out into new horizons @lordmarcovan ! Good to shake up that box and EXPAND into new cool coins!

    I went for the JUGULAR when I captured my FIRST Sassanian:

    upload_2018-4-18_7-45-55.png
    - BRONZE (not typical Silver)
    - This guy defeated and captured Valerian
    - Threw the Roman Empire into CRISIS, of which they never truly returned to their Glory of World Domination...
    - Cool

    Sassanian Shapur I
    240-272 CE
    AE Tetradrachm 10.78g 27mm
    Ctesiphon mint
    Obv: phase 1a mural crown korymbos -
    Rev: fire altar
    type 2 SNS IIa1-1a
     
    Alegandron, Apr 18, 2018
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  9. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Oh, yes.

    Didn't he use Valerian as a living footstool or something?

    Literally wiping your feet on a Roman emperor. Now that's the way to show the world that you're one bad dude.
     
    lordmarcovan, Apr 18, 2018
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  10. Milesofwho

    Milesofwho Omnivorous collector

    I believe the reason they were clipped down was to circulate as a dirham in the Caliphate. However, I can't really say I know that because the weight for a dirham is variable.
     
    Milesofwho, Apr 18, 2018
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  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Sharp! Nice touch of cabinet toning, too.

    I've got a Parthian or two watchlisted but times are lean on the budgetary front for now.
     
    lordmarcovan, Apr 18, 2018
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  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    AR Drachm - ARDASHIR III

    This was a youngster who ruled for a short period...
    upload_2018-4-18_8-37-52.png
    Persian Sassanian Ardashir III 628-629 CE AR Drachm 36mm 3.85g Zoroastrian Fire Alter Gobl II-1 yr 2 Delta RARE

    Not a pretty, but I understand these are harder to find...
     
    Alegandron, Apr 18, 2018
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  13. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Shame on the edge clipping on yours, Rob.

    [​IMG]
    Khusro II (591-628 A.D.)
    AR Drachm
    O: Bust of King right, crowned and cuirassed, ribbon over right shoulder, crescent and ribbon over left, stars flanking crown, monogram to left.
    R: Two attendants and fire alter, star and crescent flanking flame.
    4.1g
    32mm
    LYW for Rev-Ardashir, Year 33
     
    Mat, Apr 18, 2018
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  14. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I have heard this theory and believe it is a reasonable guess at the very least.

    Sasanian silver coins are often thin enough that breakage is a problem. Some later ones like Yazdgard III are often ragged enough that I felt lucky to get one this good on the edge while some earlier ones are regularly solid edged. Late coins can be twice the diameter of some earlier ones that weigh the same. One dealer I know always places Sasanians he sells in hard plastic capsules for mailing. I'll bet he had problems with the post office in the past and believes in a little extra care.
    oa1080bb2600.jpg
     
    dougsmit, Apr 18, 2018
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  15. RAGNAROK

    RAGNAROK Naebody chaws me wi impunitY

    I need a bonnie coin of this total badass buddy... :smuggrin:
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
    RAGNAROK, Apr 18, 2018
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  16. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    If they are not clipped, Sasanian coins weigh about 4.1 grams. Here is one:

    KhusruII7407.jpg

    Sellwood, Whitting and Williams, 62. 32 mm.
    Year 34? Mint: Veh Ardashir (a suburb of Ctesiphon, in present day Iraq).
     
    Valentinian, Apr 18, 2018
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  17. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    KHUSRO II.jpg
    Khusro II, Sassanian Empire; 591 - 628 A.D. AR drachm 30 mm. 4.2 g. 90° Crowned and draped bust right; Fire-altar with attendants.

    Purchased from our own Victor Clark.
     
    Gavin Richardson, Apr 18, 2018
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  18. coin_nut

    coin_nut Well-Known Member

    I bought this one as being "Indo-Sassanian" circa 950-1050 AD. 4.4 grams 15 mm Diameter, about 2.5 mm thick. That may or may not be correct, perhaps someone can comment further. 950-1050 Ind Sass 1 p rev (1).JPG 950-1050 Ind Sass 1 p rev (2).JPG
     
    coin_nut, Apr 18, 2018
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  19. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    dougsmit, Apr 18, 2018
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  20. TJC

    TJC Well-Known Member

    Nice Addition!

    Here is another Shaphur I:
    ShapurI339EbayO3.jpg ShapurI339EbayR.jpg
     
    TJC, Apr 19, 2018
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  21. arashpour

    arashpour Well-Known Member

    hi Guys what do you think of mine? Anyone can detect if it is dated or mint? Also is it authentic? I bought it from a dealer in Iran 10 years ago. 20171211_232836.jpg 20171211_232855.jpg Ardashir I.jpg
     
    arashpour, Apr 27, 2018
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