Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3046 14-15 April 2016
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SASANIAN KINGDOM. Shapur I the Great (AD 240-272). AV dinar (23mm, 7.59 gm, 3h). Mint I ("Ctesiphon"), Phase II, circa AD 260-272. Bust of Shapur right, wearing mural tiara with korymbos and long ear flap, large floriate brooch on left shoulder / Large flaming fire altar flanked by two attendants, both wearing mural crowns and holding scepters, three pellets in inner right field. Sunrise 739 variant (single pellet, different placement). Cf. SNS type 11C/1b. Göbl type 1/1. A pleasing, well-struck example with a splendid portrait. Choice Extremely Fine.The second Sasanian ruler, Shapur I's long and energetic reign raised Persia to glories it had not known since the heyday of the Achaemenid Kingdom. He captured and sacked Antioch, the third greatest city of the Roman Empire, and then defeated the Roman army and captured the Emperor Valerian alive, the greatest feat of arms yet by a Sasanian monarch. His military exploits enriched the treasury and enabled him to engage in stupendous building projects. A devout Zoroastrian, he was nevertheless tolerant of other faiths and is warmly mentioned as a just king in Jewish writings. Like many Sasanian kings, his silver coinage is vast while gold is rare.
Estimate: 6000-8000 USD
SASANIAN KINGDOM. Shapur I the Great (AD 240-272). AV dinar (23mm, 7.59 gm, 3h). Mint I ("Ctesiphon"), Phase II, circa AD 260-272. Bust of Shapur right, wearing mural tiara with korymbos and long ear flap, large floriate brooch on left shoulder / Large flaming fire altar flanked by two attendants, both wearing mural crowns and holding scepters, three pellets in inner right field. Sunrise 739 variant (single pellet, different placement). Cf. SNS type 11C/1b. Göbl type 1/1. A pleasing, well-struck example with a splendid portrait. Choice Extremely Fine.The second Sasanian ruler, Shapur I's long and energetic reign raised Persia to glories it had not known since the heyday of the Achaemenid Kingdom. He captured and sacked Antioch, the third greatest city of the Roman Empire, and then defeated the Roman army and captured the Emperor Valerian alive, the greatest feat of arms yet by a Sasanian monarch. His military exploits enriched the treasury and enabled him to engage in stupendous building projects. A devout Zoroastrian, he was nevertheless tolerant of other faiths and is warmly mentioned as a just king in Jewish writings. Like many Sasanian kings, his silver coinage is vast while gold is rare.
Estimate: 6000-8000 USD