View source for Iran-Sasanian 628 (year 1) 1 drachm G-225

[[Image:SAS_628-630CEyr1_1drachm_ArdashirIII_SA-lot37-G225-18May2013-USD170.jpg|550px|thumb|Courtesy Steve Album]]
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 37 in Steve Album sale 16 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2013), where it sold for US$200.60. The catalog description reads<sup>[1]</sup>: <blockquote>"SASANIAN KINGDOM: Ardashir III, 628-630, AR drachm, WYHC (the Treasury), year 1, first type, without wings on the crown, bold strike, minor adhesions, only in obverse margin, EF, R."</blockquote> 

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' 4.16g, copper.

''Catalog reference:'' G-225.

''[[Bibliography|Sources:]]''
* <sup>[1]</sup>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. 

''Link to:''
* [[Iran-Sasanian No Date (457-484 AD) 1 drachm G-169/171|(457-484 AD) 1 drachm G-169/171]]
* [[Iran-Sasanian No Date (457-484 AD) 1 drachm G-172var|(457-484 AD) 1 drachm G-172var]]
* [[Iran-Sasanian 510 (year 11) 1 pashiz|510 (year 11) 1 pashiz]]
* [[Iran-Sasanian 616/7 (year 27) 1 drachm|616/7 (year 27) 1 drachm]]
* [[Iran-Sasanian 628 (year 2) 1 drachm G-223|628 (year 2) 1 drachm G-223]]
* [[Iran-Sasanian 651 (year 20) 1 drachm|651 (year 20) 1 drachm]]
* return to coins of [[Iran]]

[[Category: Coins of the Ancient Near East]][[Category:Selections from Stephen Album sale 16]][[Category:Sasanian coins and their imitations]]