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Very rare Narseh Gold Dinar, AD 293-303
1136
Sasanian Kingdom. Narseh. Gold Dinar (7.45 g), AD 293-303. Bust of Narseh right, wearing crown with
arcades, three foliate branches, and korymbos; hair in single group. Rev. Fire altar; flanked by two attendants,
the one on left wearing winged crown with korymbos, the other wearing mural crown; symbols flanking
flames. (SNS type Ib/2a; Göbl type II/2; Paruck -; Saeedi AV29; Sunrise 806 (same dies)). Rare and seldom
offered. Extremely fine.
$ 7,500
Narseh seized the Sasanian throne from the unpopular Vahran III in AD 293. His status as the last surviving son of Shapur I made
him a favorite of the nobility and he used their support to drive out the Roman-backed king of Armenia in AD 296. This invited
attack from the Roman Caesar, Galerius, whom Narseh defeated on three separate occasions in Mesopotamia. Unfortunately, when
Galerius returned the following year with an army of 25,000 men, Narseh suffered a crushing defeat in Armenia and was forced to
flee for his life. His family and war chest all fell into the hands of Galerius, which compelled Narseh to negotiate a humbling peace
settlement. He was required to give up five provinces west of the Tigris River, accept the expansion of the borders of Armenia and the
restoration of its pro-Roman king, and renounce Sasanian claims to Iberia. Thus the bright beginning of Narseh’s reign was darkened
by the shadow of Rome. Humiliated by the peace, Narseh died only five years after the settlement was ratified.
Very rare Gold Dinar of Shapur
III
1137
Sasanian Kingdom. Shapur III. Gold Dinar (7.17 g), AD 383-388. Siundated. Bust of Shapur III right,
wearing flat-topped crown with korymbos; to right, flower on stem. Rev. Fire altar with ribbon, no bust
right in flames. (SNS III -; Göbl -; Paruck -; Sunrise -; Triskeles 17, 308 (same dies), otherwise unpublished).
Extremely rare - one of only two known.
Choice very fine.
$ 3,000