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Tyrants of the Tigris & euphrates
179
Sasanian Empire
Gold Dinar (7.02 g, 22 mm), AD 379-383
Ardashir II, Sasanian King, AD 379-383
Sunrise # 871 (this coin), SNS Type Ib/2, Gobl Type I/3, Saeedi AV 59. Superb Extremely
Fine.
Mint: Unknown.
Ardashir II was the brother of Shapur II. He came to the throne late in life and found himself in major
confrontations with courtiers and nobles that lead to his downfall. It is not known whether he was killed
or simply removed from power due to his advanced age. Ardashir exempted the population from taxation
for the duration of his reign. He is given the title “Virtious” in Persian literature. There are contradictory
reports on Ardashir’s conduct while he was the governor of the province of Adiabene (presently the
Kurdistan province of Iraq) with regard to the brutal persecution of Christians. Such reports do not easily
square with his good deeds such tax exemption. Ardashir II maintained a strong but peaceful position
with the Romans. At the request of the Armenian nobility he supported the deposition of the Armenian
king who was believed to be a Roman puppet. In return, the Armenians allowed a large garrison of
Persian troops to be stationed in Armenia, a move that helped his successor negotiate a successful peace
treaty with Rome. Given the short length of his reign, the coins of Ardeshir II are rare. His gold dinars
are of the highest rarity with only a few examples are known. Ardashir has the same name as the founder
of the dynasty. Thus he wears a crown that resembles the crown of Ardashir I. The reverse shows the fire
altar without attendants similar to Ardashir I.
180
Sasanian Empire
Silver Drachm (4.16 g, 25 mm), AD 379-383
Ardashir II, Sasanian King, AD 379-383
Sunrise # 870, SNS Ia/1a, Gobl Type I/1, Saeedi 214. Extremely Fine.
Mint: Unknown.
A fine example of an Ardashir II drachm.