Featured Ardashir I: Dawn of the Sasanians

I do have this one that I bought at auction for $24 including auction fees and shipping.


Sassanian Kingdom, Khusro II 590-628
AR Drachm 3.77g
Obv: Head of Khusro II right wearing an ornate winged crown
Rev: Two fire attendants facing, a fire altar between. Mint name to right, date to left. . BBA mint, Year 30

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Unlike all the drachma posted here, the obverse of my first coin (Khusro II) has an additional significant lettering on the outer lower field at around 5 o'clock. It looks Arabic to me. Can you please interpret this?

 

Thanks to those answering my book question. Those new to the subject will be amazed at the huge number of different coins (mints, dates, details) of Khusro II which outnumber all the rest of the Sasanians by a good number. Those of us who do not read the language can be thankful for the fact the kings had distinctive crowns.

 

It is in Pahlavi (the type of Persian script used by the Sasanians, and distinct from modern Persian [Farsi]) and says "Afid" (Praise). This is found on some of Khusro II's drachms, but not all. Some of the early Arab-Sasanian drachms do have an Arabic inscription "Bismillah" (In the name of God) in that spot, but yours definitely says "Afid".

 

Great OP coins and write up!!!

 

Finally found my Shapur I photos

 

Hi Guys

I just bought a coin from a french dealer and it is hemidrachm of ardashir I . It is 2gr . I attached the image. Do you think it is authentic? I am a bit worried of cast fake since I see some small holes on the surface . Does the toning look natural? I really appreciate if some experts here can shed some light on this.

 

Looks fine to me...

 

Thanks @Severus Alexander . But do you notice small pits on field and bust ? isnt that casting effect?

 

Just looks like dings and ordinary corrosion on impure silver to me. When you get the coin, look at it under high magnification and see if they look like bubbles (perfectly regular & spherical).

 

I agree with @Severus Alexander, the coin looks good to me. There is some slight roughness on the surface, but it doesn't look like casting bubbles. A nice coin, I would be proud if it were part of my collection.

 

Thanks alot @Parthicus and @Severus Alexander indeed it is a nice coin if real. I loved the tone and high relief I just hope its a real and then it will be one of my good coins in my collection.

 

very good coin and great article Mr. Parthicus

 

I am currently looking for a nice Shahpur I since his reign had such profound and traumatic impact on Rome. Ardashir certainly laid the groundwork for what was about to happen. Great write-up and a well deserved featured post.

 

When you compare the metal and the workmanship of Shapur I and Valerian I, it almost makes sense who ended up whose footstool.

 

@Pellinore Thanks for pics. What do you think of my Ardashir I coins? Is it authentic? its weight is 3.9 which is lighter than normal weights of 4.2 but also it has some surface pits on the crown of Ardashir which makes me think it is cast. I appreciate your help.

 

I think your coin is alright. 3,9 gr. is o.k. Sasanian coins often have those little dents and dots in the field. No need to think of cast forgeries immediately. By the way, that hemidrachm of yours is pretty rare. You see 50 times as many drachms as hemidrachms (they were only issued by the first few kings).