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Auction: 6003 - Ancient, Islamic, English & Foreign Coins & Comm Medals
Lot: 1045

Persis, Ardashir V (Sasanian, Ardashir I) (as king of Fars c.A.D.205-40), AE 2-Chalkoi, 2.56g., frontal portait of king with beard and long wavy hair, wearing domed tiara with ear-flaps, traces of legend either side, rev. fire altar and throne platform of Sasanian style (Alram & Gyselen 7; Sel.3; Alram 660; MAC.757), a couple of edge splits, about very fine / good fine Estimate £ 200-250This coin marks an important transitional stage between the coinage of Persis and that of the Sasanians. Ardashir first gained controll of Fars and then defeated the Arsacid king Artabanus IV in A.D. 223/4. The portrait on this coin is very much in the style of the later issues of Persis, but the king wears the domed tiara of the Arscacids. This is believed to be the first issue which features a fire altar alone on the reverse. This appeared on all subsequent coins of Ardashir, as the first Sasanian king.

Sold for
£130