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TYRANT COLLECTION
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161
Sasanian Empire
Silver Drachm (3.71 g, 23.5 mm), Circa AD 233/4-238/9
Ardashir I, Sasanian King, AD 223/4 - 240
Sunrise # 721; Goble IV/12; SNS Type V (4a)/3a(2b), Pl 13, 190). Superb Extremely Fine.
Mint C: Ctesiphon (Administrative Capital to both Parthian and Sasanian empires). The City is also
known in both Persian and Arabic languages as Taysafun also as Tisfoun or Mada-en. Currently located
20 miles Southeast of Modern Day Baghdad.
The coinage of Ardashir I employs different crowns during the course of his reign. The present coin
belongs to what is known as the “coronation issue” and is among the best preserved specimens of its
type. The obverse legend, written in Pahlavi, also known as Middle Persian, became a standard text (with
minor variations) for the next two centuries. The legend reads “Ardashir, King of Kings, worshiper of
Ahuramazda the Zoroastrian wise Lord”.
162
Sasanian Empire
Gold Dinar (7.21 g, 21.5 mm), Circa AD 260-272
Shapur I, Sasanian King, AD 240-272
SNS Type IIc/Ib, Style P, Gobl type I/1, Sunrise #740. Superb Extremely Fine.
Mint C: Ctesiphon.
Shapur I, the son and successor of Ardashir I, inflicted a devastating defeat on the Roman Armies near
the city of Edssa (in modern day Turkey). He successfully waged war against the expanding Roman
power in the east and defeated three Roman emperors, Valerian, Gordian and Philip the Arab. His victory
over these emperors have been immortalized in a series of rock carvings near the ancient city of Istakhr.
His coinage established the reverse type that was in use to the end of the dynasty showing a fire altar
flanked by two attendants. The obverse follows the text established by Ardashir I. The flowing hair and
mural crown (sometimes with ear flap and sometimes without) became a highly influential image which
was not only followed by his successors with some variations but also influenced imagery and design
of coinage of medieval Europe. During his reign Shapur allowed the prophet “Mani” to preach his re-
ligion. Mani is the founder of Manichaeism. This religion with its strong dualism and barrowings from
Christianity became highly popular across the Near East, Arabian peninsula, India and Central Asian
as far,Xinjiang in Western China. Mani dedicated his book Shapugaun to Shapur I for his generosity in
allowing him to preach his religion. Manichaeism eventually was crushed by Shapur’s son and successor
Bahram I,at the behest of the Zoroastrian priesthood who saw Mani as an agitator and a threat to their
power. However, the Manichaeans survived underground. Some migrated to Europe where centuries
later they became known as “Cathars” in France, Spain and Italy and “Bogomils” in Eastern Europe. The
Albigensian Crusade of the Middle Ages was waged against of Cathars.