Lot 4597

Description

Sasanian, kings of Persia, Balash, (484-488), silver drachm (4.08 g), AY (Susa?) mint, obv. "The good king Bala[sh]" in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, ribbon rising from right shoulder, flame on left, rev. degraded Pahlavi legend to left, mint signature to right, bust of Balash in front of fire altar with attendants and ribbon, star and crescent flanking flames, (Gobl I/1, Paruck 359, Alram 888, MACW 1003 corr., De Morgan p.707, 177 [Vologeses]). Lightly toned, nearly extremely fine.

Ex Decades Collection and from Triton VII, 13-14 January, 2004 (lot 647) and previously from Giessener Munzhandlung 22, 25 May, 1982 (lot 219).

See Malek, "A Survey of Research on Sasanian Numismatics," in Num. Chron 1993, p.240, for the reattribution of this mintmark from AB to AY.<Balash was chosen by the aristocracy to be king after his brother Peroz was killed in battle against the Hephthalites. He is notable for his diplomacy; he secured the northeastern border by a large tribute payment to the Hephthalites, and pacified tumultuous Armenia by allowing Christians to practice openly and outlawed the practice of Zoroastrianism there. These moves may have been too much for the nobility, as they deposed him after only four years of rule.