Catalogue
Sasanian King, Vahran, II (274-293), silver drachm, (3.880 grams), obv. jugate busts of Vahran and consort, the queen's head topped with horse head, prince on right to left with eagle head, rev. fire altar with attendants, (Sellwood type IV, 23, Gobl 64, Pl.4, M.851 [This Coin and illustrated, £250]). Nearly extremely fine, and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $520
Sasanian King, Narseh, (293-302), silver drachms (3), (3.920 [illustrated], 3.596, 3.312 [illustrated] grams), obv. bust to right with radiate crown, globe above, with pallisaded headress, rev. fire altar with attendants, plain shaft or dots on shaft, (cf.Sellwood Plate III, No.26, Gobl plate 5, 75-6, M.860, 856 [dots on shaft], 857); Hormazd II, (302-309), similar silver drachms (3) (3.782, 3.502 [illustrated], 3.802 [illustrated] grams), (Sellwood 27, Gobl 83, 85, M.866, 868 [Eastern issue] [2]). Two are holed, otherwise nearly very fine and very scarce. (6)
Estimate $300
SOLD $400
Sasanian King, Shapur II, (A.D. 309-379), silver drachm, Type Ia/6a, (4.09 grams), obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with attendants, legend on shaft, (Sellwood 32, Gobl 102, M.879) (illustrated); another similar (3.97 grams), (cf.Sellwood 29, Gobl 114, M.876); another a large fragment (3.68 grams), (cf.Sellwood 33, Gobl 106, M.881); another (3.94 grams) (cf.Sellwood 33, Gobl -, M.884); another (4.17 grams), (cf Sellwood 32, cf.Gobl 102, M.887) (illustrated); another (3.66 grams), (M.882). One drachm chipped, otherwise fine - good very fine, scarce. (6)
Estimate $200
SOLD $160
Sasanian King, Artashir II, (A.D. 379-383), silver drachm, Type I/I, (4.09 grams), obv. bust to right with crown as a close-fitting headress, pearl border and globe aabove, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with attendants, holding spears, facing altar, (cf.Sellwood 34, Gobl 122, M.910) (illustrated). Toned, nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $200
SOLD $210
Sasanian King, Artashir II, (A.D. 379-383), silver drachm, Type I/3, (4.09 grams), obv. bust to right with crown as a close-fitting headress, pearl border and globe aabove, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with attendants, holding spears, facing altar, (cf.Sellwood 34, cf.Gobl 121, M.905) (illustrated). Toned, nearly extremely fine and rare.
Estimate $200
SOLD $210
Sasanian King, Shapur III, (A.D. 383-388), silver drachm, (4.11 grams), bust to right with unusual decorated crown, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar, inscribed RAST, (Sellwood 37, Gobl 126, Panuck 263, M.914); another similar without inscription of RAST (3.82 grams) (cf.Gobl 126, M.917); another (4.34 grams) (cf.M.915). Very fine or better and rare. (3)
Estimate $350
SOLD $280
Sasanian King, Varhran IV (6), (388-399), silver drachms, (4.23, 4.02, 3.87, 4.04, 2.912, 4.04 grams) obv. bearded bust to right wearing headress with frontal turret and wing behind, rev. fire altar with two attendants, (Sellwood 38, 39, Gobl 136, 139, 141, cf.M.927, 929, 930, 935, 936). Some toned, fine to good very fine. (6)
Estimate $200
SOLD $140
Sasanian King, Yazdgard I, (A.D. 399-420), silver drachms, (3.98, 4.22, 3.72, 4.15, 3.98, 4.19, 4.04, 4.25, 3.58 [fragment] grams), obv. bearded bust to right with round top headress with central crown, crescent before, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with two attendants, flames only above fire altar, (Sellwood 41, cf.Gobl 146, 147, M.939-949). Several with large flan, several cleaned, very fine - extremely fine, scarce. (9)
Estimate $400
SOLD $400
Sasanian King, Varhran V, (A.D. 420-438), silver drachms, a range of mints, obv. bust to right with crown or headress of two turrets and a globe, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with two attendants facing the altar with bust of Ahuramazda within the flames, (Sellwood 43, 45, Gobl 153-156, cf.M.951-956). Ten coins as small to large fragments, twenty one others with several showing hoard patination, otherwise very fine - extremely fine. (31)
Estimate $500
SOLD $400
Sasanian King, Yazdgard II, (A.D. 438-457), silver drachms, a range of mints, 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 160, 165, cf.M.968-971). Three coins as large fragments, eleven others with several showing hoard patination, otherwise very fine - extremely fine. (14)
Estimate $250
SOLD $170
Sasanian King, Peroz (Firuz I), (457-484), silver drachms, a range of mints, obv. bust to right with crown or headress of two turrets and a globe, crescent before or two wings instead, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar with two attendants facing the altar with flames only above the altar, (Sellwood 48, 49, cf.Gobl 167, 169, 171, 174-6, cf.M.973-995). Two coins as large fragments, twelve others very fine - extremely fine. (15)
Estimate $250
SOLD $280
Sasanian King, Valkash, (484-488), silver drachms, (4.06, 4.14, 4.01 grams), mints RD = Ray (2), Shi = Shiz, obv. bust to right with headress of three turrents and globe above, flame on shoulder, rev. fire altar with attendants, bust of Ahuramzada in flames, (cf.Sellwood Plate V, No.50, Gobl 178-9, M.1000 [Ray]). Nearly very fine - good very fine, all very scarce. (3)
Estimate $250
SOLD $340
Sasanian King, Kavad I, (first reign 484-496), silver drachms, (4.08, 4.03, 4.02, 3.00, 4.00 grams), mints ST = Istakhur (2), GI = Gurgan, Shi = Shiz, VH = Veh Artashir?, obv. bust to right with headress of two turrents and globe above, crescents above each shoulder, rev. fire altar with attendants, flames above altar, star and crescent at top, (cf.Sellwood Plate V, No.51, Gobl 183, cf.M.1011-6). One with hole at edge, otherwise nearly very fine - good very fine, all scarce. (5)
Estimate $200
SOLD $150
Sasanian King, Zamasp, (A.D. 496-498), silver drachm, (4.09 grams), obv. bust to right with crown, small bust of son facing offering diadem, name in outer margin, rev. fire altar, year 3, VH = Veh Abarsahr mint, (Sellwood 53, Gobl 180-1, Paruck Pl.XVIII, 14, M.1008). Extremely fine, rare.
Estimate $250
SOLD $270
Sasanian King, Kavad I, (A.D. 498-531), silver drachms, second reign issue, various mints and dates, obv. bust to right with crown, name in outer margin, crescents on shoulders, and streamers rising from headress into margin, name in margin, rev. fire altar with attendants star and crescent, (Sellwood 51, cf.Gobl 185-190, M.1017-1025). One with hoard patina, one holed another severly clipped, otherwise fine - good very fine, several scarce. (15)
Estimate $300
SOLD $190
Sasanian King, Khusru I, (A.D. 531-579), silver drachms, various dates and mints, obv. bearded bust to right with crown wearing headress with two turrets and ornamental globe above, name in outer margin, crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants, (Sellwood 54, Gobl 194-198, cf.M.1028-1072). One clipped another chipped, otherwise fine - nearly extremely fine, several scarce. (20)
Estimate $300
SOLD $250
Sasanian King, Hormazd IV, (A.D. 579-590), silver drachms, various dates and mints, obv. bearded bust to right with crown wearing headress with two turrets and ornamental globe above, name in outer margin, star and crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants, (Sellwood 55-56, Gobl 200-202, cf.M.1073-1099). One clipped, otherwise very good - nearly extremely fine. (18)
Estimate $250
SOLD $260
Sasanian King, Khusru II, (A.D. 590, 591-628), silver drachms, various dates and mints, obv. bearded bust to right with crown wearing headress with two turrets and ornamental globe above topped by star in crescent, name in outer margin, star and crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants with triple margin; together with copper nummia from Alexandria mint, (Sellwood 61-63, 65-66, Gobl 208-215, 222, cf.M.1111-1213, 1221-1223); Arab Sasanian prototype issue, Khusru II (A.D. 590 - 627), silver drachm or dirhems (7), (A.D. 626), with word 'praise' in outer margin, (cf.W. alpha [p.2, Plate I, alpha); cf.M.21; Sellwood type 62; Gobl 214). Several toned, four clipped, otherwise, Fine - extremely fine. (49)
Estimate $500
SOLD $680
Sasanian King, Artashir III, (A.D. 628-630), silver drachms, BISh = Bishapur year 2, (3.98 grams), another ART = Gor mint, year 2 (4.15 grams), another AIRAN = Shush mint, year 2 (3.01 grams), obv. beardless bust of child-king to right with crown wearing headress with crescent before, ornamental globe above, name in outer margin, star and crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants, (Sellwood 69-70, Gobl 225-227, M.1227-1231). First chipped with hoard patina, last clipped, otherwise fine - nearly extremely fine. (3)
Estimate $200
SOLD $190
Sasanian Queen, Buran, (A.D. 630-631), silver drachm, SK = Sakastan year 32, (4.09 grams), obv. bust of Queen to right with long hair and wingless headress, name in outer margin, star and crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants, four stars and crescents around, (Sellwood 71, Gobl 229, M.1241). Bright, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $300
SOLD $620
Sasanian King, Hormazd V, (A.D. 631-632), silver drachm, NIHCh = Nishapur year 2, (3.79 grams), obv. bearded bust of king to right with winged headress with star and crescent before, double dotted margin, name in outer margin, star and crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants within triple dotted margin, (sellwood 73, Gobl 230-231, cf.M.1242-1248). Lightly toned, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $200
SOLD $190
Sasanian King, Yazdgard III, (A.D. 632-651), silver drachms, various mints, (4.04, 3.37 and 3.89 grams), obv. beardless bust of child-king to right with winged headress similar to Khusru II issues, single or double dotted margin, name in outer margin, star and crescents on three sides, rev. fire altar with attendants within double or triple dotted margin, (sellwood 74, Gobl 234-235, cf.M.1251-1256). Bright to lightly toned, very fine - extremely fine and very scarce. (3)
Estimate $250
SOLD $420
Hephthalites or Hunnic Tribes (White Huns), (c.A.D. 475-550), silver and base metal drachms, various types and mints from the apogee of the Hephthalites (Kabul Valley and Zabul), obv. 'Napki' bust to right, rev. fire altar with attendants, (12), (cf.M.1491-1494, 1499-1518); others of anonymous types in base metal (3) (cf.M.1445-1449); silver drachm as tribute money from Peroz (457-483) (M.1450 type 1 countermark); countermarked drachms of Hormazd IV (4) (579-590), others (2). Several clipped, toned or bright, otherwise fine - nearly extremely fine. (22)
Estimate $400
SOLD $430
Turko-Hephthalites or later Hunnic Tribes (White Huns), (c.A.D. 600-799), silver imitative drachms, various types and mints mostly with countermarks, obv. crowned bust to right, rev. fire altar with attendants, (4), (cf.M.1397-1408, 1560); others from Sogdiana (Bokhara) (16) as debased types in base metal (cf.M.1395-1396); Hunnic Gurjara area (c.550 B.C.), silver drachms as pre-Gujarat coinage imitating issues of Peroz (457-483) a small hoard of (8) coins (cf.M.1476-1482). Several with green oxidation, a few lightly toned, several clipped, otherwise fine - nearly extremely fine. (28)
Estimate $400
SOLD $300
Arab-Sassanian issues, silver hemidrachms of the Ispahbads of Tabaristan, Prototype coinage of these Ispahbads, Independent rulers (A.50-52), Farkham (Farroxan) (A.D. 711-731); Datburjmihr (731-739); Khurshid (740-761) (3); Abbasid Governors 'Umar (771-780) (7); Sa'id (776-779); Jarir (786-788); Hani (788-790); Muqatil (788-792) (2); 'Abd Allah (790-792) (2); Ibrahim (791-792); Anonymous issues (780-793) (5); (A.55-56, 58, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73-74). One holed, mostly fine - extremely fine. (27)
Estimate $400
SOLD $420
Arab-Sasanian and Arab Byzantine, copper fals (2), Imperial bust and emperor and son, (A.105, 110); silver dirhems, Anonymous types (2) (c.653-670), Sakaston year 21; local copy, (A.4); Samura b. Jundab (671-2) DA (A.9); 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad (674-683) (2) (A.12); 'Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr (680-692) (2) (A.15); Salm b. Ziyad (680-684) (A.18); 'Umar b.'Ubayd Allah (686-689) (2, one clipped) (A.21); Khalid b.'Abd Allah (692-694), (A.24) (clipped); al-Muhallab b. Abi Sufra (694-698), (A.31); al-Hajjaj b. Yusuf (694-713), (A.36). Very good - nearly extremely fine. (15)
Estimate $400
SOLD $850
Umayyad Caliphate, `Abd al-Malik, (A.H. 65-86) (A.D. 685-705), gold dinar, anonymous dinar, no mint name (but Damascus mint), dated A.H. 80 = A.D. 699-700, (A.125, BMC 4, W.190). Has been mounted, otherwise very fine and scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $350
Umayyad Caliphate, Hisham, (A.H. 105-125) (A.D. 724-743), gold dinar, anonymous dinar, no mint name (but probably Damascus mint), dated A.H. 111 = A.D. 729-730, (A.136, BMC 32b, W.231). Trace of mounting on edge, otherwise good very fine and scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $310
Umayyad Caliphate, silver dirhems mostly from the common mint of Wasit and a few from Damascus, `Abd al-Malik, (A.H. 65-86) (A.D. 685-705) (6); al-Walid I (A.H. 86-96) (A.D. 705-715) (15); al-Sulayman (A.H. 96-99) (A.D. 715-717), (8); `Umar, (A.H. 99-101) (A.D. 717-720) (4); Yazid II, (A.H. 101-105) (A.D. 720-724), (5); Hisham, (A.H. 105-125) (A.D. 724-743), (25); al-Walid II, (A.H. 125-126) (A.D. 724-725), (2); Ibrahim, (A.H. 126-127) (A.D. 744), (2); Marwan II, (A.H. 127-132) (A.D. 744-750), (5); post reform copper fals (38), a collection with duplication. Poor - extremely fine. (110)
Estimate $1,000
SOLD $700
Abbasid Caliphate, al-Mansur, (A.H. 136-158) (A.D. 754-775), gold dinar, no mint, A.H. 149 = A.D. 765-776, (A.212, cf.M.139). Nearly very fine and scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $170