The son of Kavad II, Ardashir III was elevated to throne in AD 628 at the age of 7. During this time the Persian Empire was being invaded by Islam, upon the death of Khusro II. The empire was administrated by Gushnasp who hoped to keep the age of the Shah a secret from those who saught the throne. During the reign of Khusro II, the general Shahrbaraz whom had governed Byzantine Egypt from Alexandria, returned to Persia with his eye on the prize. In AD 629 Shahrbaraz marched on the capitol with 6000 soldiers. He proceeded to capture and execute both Gushnasp and the then 8 year old Ardashir III. Ardashir III is considered a rare emperor having only ruled a little over a year. Persia Ardashir III (r. AD 628-629) AR Drachm 36 mm x 3.85 grams Obverse: Crowned beardless bust of Ardashir III right. Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Altar flanked by two attendents. Dated yr. 2 AY mint. ref# Gobl II/1 Downturn year 2 Delta.
Nice write up. I enjoyed reading this. You might enjoy this thread I posted not too long ago: Sasanian and Early Islamic Coins
Great coin and write-up ! Interesting to see how the portrait of the king is almost the same as his adult predecessors, just without the beard. Likely, in reality the crown would have fallen right over his head.
Sasanian portraits are pretty distinctive but not photographic in style. Most of our ID clues come from the headgear and other trappings rather than face. I'd say this one looks pretty young. Since many Sasanians were issued by several mints, the style of any ruler may differ more due to 'where' than to 'who'. The one I want but have not found in my price bracket is a Buran. She is beardless but hardly what you would call a Hollywood beauty so the ID is made by her hat. Does anyone have one to show?
Doug, I don't have one to show but the more we talk about it the smaller our chances become of finding a cheap / misattributed one.
Would anyone care to read the year date on this beardless Yasdgard III? He began rule at 8 and remained long enough to have a beard. I'm seeing year 4 which would make him 12??? Anoob is right. I cost myself a lot of money starting a web page in 1997 and trying to interest others in my hobby. I should suggest all of you only buy bullion silver.
If you haven't seen it, you guys might like this recent article in the Heritage newsletter: Shapur I of Persia - Rome's worst nightmare.
I think this is the first time I have ever read about the capture of Valerian where the writer did not see fit to tell the follow-up after the capture part of the story. Worst nightmare? Yes, getting grabbed by the arm can leave a nasty bruise. When buying only one Valerian, you might want to look for a reverse commemorating his 'Restoration' of the Orient. This one shows the poor silver common to the later issues of Valerian. I find it a bit sad that Shapur did not issue coins with newsworthy reverses so we are spared the 'what happened to Valerian series'. Many of us like the big silver Sasanian coins with their really fancy portraits but the reverse types, however interesting, never change so most of us don't go for minor variations.
I do not have a Buran example, to expensive. But i would say her most distinguishing feature is not the hat but the long hear in dreadlock style she has ?
