Catalogue
Sasanian King, Ardashir I, (223/4-240 A.D.), silver half drachm (1.95 g), Ctesiphon mint, issued 233/4-238/9, A.D., obv. Pehlevi inscription Diademed bust of Ardashir to right wearing close-fitting headdress with globular crest and korymbos, rev. Pehlevi inscription above elaborate altar, (Sellwood 7, Gobl type 16, SNS Schaaf 36 type IIIb/3b [pl. 3, 36], see example about VF Ponterio Sale 149, 24 April 2009, lot 2101 est. $3000-$4000). Very fine and very rare.
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $640
Sasanian King, Shapur I, (A.D. 241-272), silver drachm, (4.34 g), obv. "The Mazda worshipper, the divine Shahpur, the king of kings of Iran who is descended from the Gods" in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown with ear flap and korymbos, rev. "Fire of Shahpur" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with attendants wearing mural crowns, (Sellwood 12, Gobl I/1, SNS Type IIc/1b. Gobl type I/1. Sunrise 741). Toned, good very fine or better.
Estimate $250
SOLD $270
Sasanian, King, Bahram II, with Queen and Prince 4, (276-293 A.D.), silver drachm, (4.67 g), obv. degraded Pahlavi legend, jugate busts of Bahram, crowned and cuirassed, and his queen, wearing a bonnet with a boar's head and cuirass, right, facing the cuirassed bust of his son (Prince 4) left, who wears a bonnet with an eagle's head and presents wreath, rev. degraded Pahlavi legend, fire altar with attendants, the right one presents wreath, no pellets on central column, fravahr (wreath) and taurus symbols flanking flames, (Gobl X/3, Paruck 149 (no pellets), Alram 744, MACW 847, De Morgan p.673, 51). Toned, good very fine, rare.
Estimate $750
SOLD $550
Sasanian King, Yazdgard II, (A.D. 438-457), silver drachm, (3.87 g), obv. bust to right with crown or headress of three turrets and a globe, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with two attendants facing the altar with flames only above the altar, (Sellwood 47, Gobl 165, cf.M.968-971). Nearly extremely fine.
Estimate $100
Passed in
Sasanian, King, Peroz, (457/9-484), silver drachm (3.28 g), GD (Gay) mint in Spahan Province (a city district of Isfahan), obv. "The Mazda worshipper, the fortunate, Peroz" in Pahlavi (crude), crowned and cuirassed bust right, rev. "Peroz" in Pahlavi (crude) to left, mint signature to right, fire altar with attendants and ribbon, (Sellwood 49, Gobl I/1, Alram 876, Karlsson D34). Bright, good very fine and a rare mint issue.
Estimate $100
SOLD $100
Sasanian, King, Kavad I, (A.D. 488-496, 498-531), silver drachm, second reign issue, (4.12 g), obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar, Dywan mint (uncertain mint maybe Dinawar), year 33 = 521, (Sellwood 51, Gobl 187, Karlsson D54). Attractive grey and gold tone, good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $100
SOLD $110
Sasanian, King, Khusru II (A.D. 590-628), silver drachm, year 37, YZ (Yazd) mint (4.11 g), obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with attendants, (cf.Sellwood 65, Gobl 212, Sunrise -). Extremely fine.
Estimate $100
SOLD $130