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TYRANT COLLECTION
60
159
Sasanian Empire
Silver Drachm (3.79 g, 22 mm), AD 223/4 - 240
Ardashir I, Sasanian King, AD 223/4 - 240
Ex Sunrise Collection: 692. Superb Extremely Fine.
Mint A - Stakhr (Also known in historical literature as City of Istakhr or Istaxr), currently located in the
province of Fars in southern Iran. Minting date range is considered to be circa AD 205/6-223/4.
This coin is considered to be the first minted under the Sasanian dynasty founded by Ardashir I. It is
also considered to be the last coin of the feudal kings of Persis, which included Ardashir’s father and
ancestors. After becoming king of his ancestral region, Ardashir consolidated his power by defeating
his rivals, including his overlord the Last Parthian King Artabanos VI. The forward-facing portrait in
Sasanian coinage is typically of the highest rarity and reserved for very special occasions. The obverse
shows Ardashir I facing forward. The reverse depicts Ardashir’s father “Papag”, also known as “Babak”
in later literary sources. Both are crowned with a Parthian pellet-in-crescent tiara. This coin was minted
during the period in which Ardashir became the master of Persis and embarked on campaigns against his
rivals and, eventually, his Parthian overlord.