Silver drachm of Peroz I, 459-484. He's one of the earlier "common" rulers, perhaps best known for his wars against the Huns, which he lost, was taken as a POW, and forced to pay his own ransom twice. As a result, his coins became the de facto currency of the silk road, and were still being imitated in India 900 years after his death. I am pretty sure yours is an officially minted Persian issue from his lifetime. Not having much luck with the mint, I think it might be the "H" mint?
VH/WH (Veh Ardashir), according to Sellwood/Whitting/Williams and http://web.archive.org/web/20120920...m/coins/sasania/sas_mint/sas_mint_table2.html
You received great answers OP. Only thing I would add is it is actually better than average. Due to making so many of these, the overall quality dropped precipitously. You can find many horrendous specimens. Yours is pretty pleasing if worn.
As further color commentary, He actually was captured a third time warring against the White Huns, or Hepthalites. The third time they just killed him. Poor guy. His father made a name for himself battling and defeating the Red Huns. When Peroz came to power, he mopped up what was left but everyone knew his father was who was responsible for their defeat. He wanted to make a name for himself, so looked towards the White Huns. I don't think he calculated how the White Huns were much more powerful than the Black or Red ones, as demonstrated that the Whites were the last tribe to be pushed out by the Xiongnu, (Mongols).
Thank you, youve just got me very interested in the history of this period and area! Aren't coins wonderful!
Yes they are. The beauty of them are what drew me to them to begin with, and like you, got me more interested in the area and history. My avatar is a coin type I tried to buy for many years, now I think I own about 7 of them. My favorite coin books are ones with coins in them, but also full of history. My suggestion, (maybe borrow interlibrary loan as they are expensive to buy now) is from the BM, "From Persopolis to the Punjab" as a general overview and history of the area. After that, let me know and I have a ton more recommendations.
I love history and have been reading up on Saudi Arabia history because of a coin I got. I think it helps me to appreciate them more.
Thanks, you guys are all doing a great job on this thread. I have a couple of those broad flan AR Persian/Parthian/Sasanian coins and I intend to get more. The Silk Roads history is so fascinating. Many people forget that Asia was going on long before Columbus or anyone else visited the "New World".
