77 / 166
Tyrants of the Tigris & euphrates
183
Sasanian Empire
Silver Drachm (4.18 g, 22.5 mm), AD 383-388
Shapur III, Sasanian King, AD 383-388
Sunrise # 876, SNS Type Ib2/1b, Gobl Type I/1, Saeedi 218. Nearly Mint State.
Mint AW (Hormizd-Ardashir) between present day Basra and city of Shushtar in southwestern Iran. The
second interpretation is the city of “AHWAZ” in southwestern Iran.
This is one of the finest if not the single finest example of a Shapur III drachm showing the details of his
crown. The reverse depicts a fire altar with two attendants and a figure in the flame. This style of reverse
had been previously utilized by Shapur II and Hormizd II.
184
Sasanian Empire
Gold Dinar (7.10 g, 20 mm), AD 388-399
Vahram (Bahram IV), Sasanian King, AD 388-399
Sunrise # 883 (this coin), SNS Type Ia1/1a, Gobl Type I/2. Very Fine.
Mint: Adurbadagan ( Present day Azerbayjan either Northwest Iran or Republic of Azerbayjan in west-
ern Caspian Sea).
Bahram IV, shown with his winged merlon crown, succeeded his father Shapur III. At this time Sasanian
Empire came into direct contact with Hunnic and Turkic tribes which had moved into the areas formerly
occupied by the Kushans. This development forced Sasanians from Bactria (present day Afghanistan)
and Transoxiana (present day Central Asia comprised of Turkmenistan and Kazakistan). Some of the
Hunnic tribes such as Kidarites and and the Alkhons began minting coins in the style of Sasanian kings.
In addition, Bahram IV’s reign saw renewed hostilities between Rome and Persia due to Persarmenia’s
desire to break free from the Sasanian suzerainty; This uprising was crushed quickly, ending the threat
of major confrontation between Sasanian Persia and Rome. On the home front, Bahram made certain
adjustments in weights and measures of the Sasanian gold dinars. Bahram IV was assassinated by his
personal guard after being in power for eleven years.