A few years ago on this very board two sages made apparent scarce coins in high grade for cheap. @medoraman and @dougsmit gave some wonderful advice that was seared in to my memory. Medoraman had mentioned that there is a need to purchase a Hormizd II silver drachm at that time there was quite a few Hormizd II coins on the market, confirmed by @Mat. (Mat is a closet eastern collector. ) Medoraman mentioned that this was one of the few coins that could be had in high grade inexpensively, <$100. Hormizd II are indeed scarce, and had become available due to a recent hoard find. Doug stressed the importance of recognizing and taking advantage of such market conditions and go where the getting is good. True story, there I was sitting at the computer and decided to go for a dip in the 'bay. ON SALE, and Best Offer enabled. I confirmed the crown and the Roman numerals that followed Hormizd's name and I had done it, I had found one cheap. Hormizd 2 !!!! $50! From a reputable NYC gallery! Must be the Tyche offering I made last month. I paid attention to the elders and years later here we are, my only regret is I did not act faster, I was lucky to come across a very nice straggler... For further reading check out wikipedia for more information on Hormizd II. Sassanian Persia Ctesiphon, Iraq Hormizd (Ohrmazd) II (r. AD 302-309) AR Drachm 28 mm x 3.62 grams Obverse:Eagle and pomegranate crowned bust of Hormizd II - Pehlevi inscription "Mazda-worshiping, Lord Ohrmazd, King of Kings of the Iranians, whose lineage (image/splendor) is from the gods" Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Altar with flaming head of Ahura Mazda, two attendants facing the altar.-Pehlevi inscription "Fire of Ohrmazd" Ref: Gobl: I/1a
I do like Easters, especially these types. There is too many coins I like >( Great score for $50 though.
Gobl mentions that the head might indeed be that of the Shah himself rather than the god. He was not sold on the god idea. I think an argument can be maid that the left attendant is the Shah Hormizd. I too love the flaming head!!
The porosity probably kept the price down a bit. In any case, I wasn't under the impression that Hormizd II was particularly rare. Still, glad you found one!
Me neither, but at one point they were fairly scarce. With this one I was mainly looking for completeness in legend and a clear face and crown. Right now there are 4 AR drachms of Hormizd II on vcoins $100, $230, $290, $485, the last 3 are all pretty nice coins.
Nice pickup, Noob ... hmmm, yah all I have to add is my same ol' same ol' sweet sassypants ... Sassanian Kingdom, Peroz I AR Drahm 459-484 AD Peroz I & Fire Altar Attendants
Great find A-noob and terrific posts guys!! I love those fire-altar reverses But I can't LOVE everything---not on my fixed income anyway LOL
Thanks for the comments, and nice coin THC, and no one gets tired of your Peroz Steve, excellent example!
Hormizd II is not particularly rare but we discussed seeing more than a few offered recently at lower prices. $230, $290 & $485 are not low prices so I hope those are really nice. I'm sure the surface texture has a lot to do with the $50 price. There seems to be two ways to buy coins. You can decide what you want and pay the price or you can decide what you will pay and buy what is available. Thursday, I bought Byzantines and a couple Greeks not on my want list because they were there and low priced. Last week I paid through the nose for a couple Republicans I had been wanting. I bought my Hormizd II when I saw several offered and the price was low. I am not currently looking to fill out a mint set of common Sasanians but I'll bet that changes if I find a dealer with a bagful he is afraid he will be stuck with. $65 in 2012:
