Iran-Sasanian No Date (457-484 AD) 1 drachm G-172var
The Sasanian Empire rose in place of the failing Parthian Empire, founded by Ardashir I, a king of Persis. Under his son Shapur I, the empire grew to include Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, other parts of Central Asia, and the Gulf Coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Sasanian armies fought for centuries against the Romans, but were only conquered in the end by the Arabs in the 7th century. The official Sasanian religion was Zoroastrianism, and sacred fires are depicted on the reverse of most coins.
The specimen shown was lot 32 in Steve Album sale 16 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2013), where it sold for US$2,006. The catalog description reads[1]:
"SASANIAN KINGDOM: Peroz, 457-484, AV stater, king's bust, winged crown, completely blundered text left & right/two attendants around fine altar, unknown symbols left and right, contemporary imitation, probably from the central silk road area that lies between what is now northern Afghanistan and Xinjiang province of China, choice EF, RR. Note that the top of the attendants' headgear has become a separate pellet outside the beaded border around the reverse."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.36g, gold.
Catalog reference: G-172var.
- [1]Album, Stephen. Stephen Album Rare Coins - Auction 16. Santa Rosa, 2013. Stephen Album Rare Coins.
- Gobl, Robert. Sasanian Numismatics. New York: 1971. Sanford J. Durnst.
- Sayles, Wayne G. Ancient Coin Collecting VI - Non-Classical Cultures. Iola, WI, 1999. Krause Publications.
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