The first arrival of 2015 is kicked off with what IMHO is a very nice drachm of Shah Varhran IV (Bahram IV) ruling Persia AD 388-399. Bahram IV was a relatively weak ruler whose enemies gained strength during his reign. Armenia succeeds from Persia and favors independence and Roman endorsement. The Huns strike from the North and ravaged the land. Bahram managed to kill many Huns and returned all the riches and captives that were taken in AD 395. Bahram is betrayed by his domestic enemies and is surrounded and shot with arrows. He is succeeded by Yazdegard I and thus begins the Middle Sassanian Period. Perisa Shah Varhran IV AD 388-399 AR Drachm 23 mm x 3.82 grams Obverse: Bust of Varhran IV wearing a winged merlon crown with korymbos. Reverse: Zoroastrian fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants No Legend. Ref: Gobl Type I/3 Note; Choice EF. Light area of porosity.
that's a sweet one AN! i WILL pick up another sassanian coin this year man. i'd prefer to get one of this style...the "ball hat" and "broad altar" type coin.
I want to get the reverse with Ahura Mazda in the flames of the fire altar. You know like the Bukhar Hudat.
Super coin, AN. I'm looking to expand my collecting interests this year with a few more coins going further east. Always enjoy seeing your newps.
Atta-boy, A-Noob ... congrats on the early addition!! Oh, and very eye-friendly addition, THC (yummy-yummy!!) Sadly, all I have from this time-frame is an example from Sassanian Kingdom, Peroz I AR Drahm (you've all seen it .... oh my ... and here it is again!!) Cheers .... huh ... man, I love this coin (thanks, Batman!!)
