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TYRANT COLLECTION
84
199
Sasanian Empire
Gold 1/6 Dinar (0.39g, 28 mm), AD 484-488
Valkash (Valaxs or Balash), Sasanian King, AD 484-488
Saeedi AV 84. Very Fine.
Mint: AI.
Given the devastation of the treasury and taxation during the reign of Peroz, the Sasanian nobility be-
came involved more than ever in efforts save the empire from collapse. The aristocracy and priesthood
began acting as a powerful joint council that installed and removed kings. Valkash, the brother of Peroz,
was placed in power after Peroz’s sudden death. The records consider Valkash to be a benevolent King
who cared for the peasants and lower classes of society. One story has it that he constantly visited the
countryside where he observed villages becoming desolate and was disturbed by the plight of farmers
abandoning their farms. He made a commitment to help peasants and farmers so that no farm would
become desolate, so the land might continue to produce the crops so desperately needed. Other stories
refer to him as having an excellent culinary taste, attributing some form of Lemon Chicken (originally a
Parthian dish) to him. This coin is of the highest rarity. Indeed most of his coins are rare given the short
duration of his reign. One of the extraordinary elements of this coin is the facing portrait of the king. As
discussed under Ardashir I, facing portraits are typically allocated for special occasions and are extreme-
ly rare. The mint AI represents the city of Airan which is present-day Shush (Susa) in southwestern Iran.
Shush is the burial place of the Prophet Daniel.
200
Sasanian Empire
Silver Drachm (4.08g 26.5 mm), AD 484-488
Valkash (Valaxs or Balash), Sasanian King, AD 484-488
Sunrise # 955, SNS Type Ib/1b, Gobl Type I/1, Mochiri 990. Extremely Fine.
Mint: GW or GO.
An outstanding example of this king’s silver drachm. The legend in front of the face written in the
Pahlavi language reads (counter-clockwise) “The good king Valkash”. The obverse shows 2 rings which
had only been used rarely, during the time of Hormizd II and Shapur II. The reverse shows the fire altar
similar to that of Bahram V. The choices for these selections are not recorded. However the reverse, as
propaganda, might be a reminder of one of the more prosperous periods under Bahram V. The Mint city
is GW or GO which is generally recognized as Gorgan on the southeastern coast of the Caspain Sea
in present day Iran. The city and its surrounding region was s major strategic point where years later a
defensive wall was built to keep invading nomads away and under control. The city was an important
trading post with access to the Caspian Sea.