Heritage World Coin Auctions
CCE Signature Sale 3054 7-8 April 2017
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SASANIAN KINGDOM. Varhran (Bahram) II (AD 276-293). AV dinar (22mm, 7.25 gm, 3h). Choice MS. Diademed and draped bust of Varhran right, wearing tiara with curved wing and korymbos, large brooch on right shoulder / Fire altar flanked by Varhran II (wearing winged tiara, left) and Varhran I (wearing radiate crown, right), each holding scepter. Sunrise 765 variant (no pellet below altar). SNS type 1/1 variant (straight wings). Göbl type 1/1 variant (same). Rare. A lovely specimen, well struck on a full flan with a detailed portrait. A grandson of Shapur I "The Great," Varhran II (also transliterated Bahram) was one of the most active and prolific of the early Sasanian kings. His military activities were focused on the kingdom's eastern frontier, which we expanded into Afghanistan and Sakistan. This left the Romans a relatively free hand in the west; an invasion by Carus (AD 282-283) reached the outskirts of Cstesiphon, but the emperor's mysterious death led to a quick withdrawal and the Sasanians suffered no permanent loss of territory. His later coinage and several famous bas reliefs depict Varhran along with his wife and two sons. His early coinage in gold, featuring the king himself without relations, is rare and seldom offered.
Estimate: 6000-8000 USD
SASANIAN KINGDOM. Varhran (Bahram) II (AD 276-293). AV dinar (22mm, 7.25 gm, 3h). Choice MS. Diademed and draped bust of Varhran right, wearing tiara with curved wing and korymbos, large brooch on right shoulder / Fire altar flanked by Varhran II (wearing winged tiara, left) and Varhran I (wearing radiate crown, right), each holding scepter. Sunrise 765 variant (no pellet below altar). SNS type 1/1 variant (straight wings). Göbl type 1/1 variant (same). Rare. A lovely specimen, well struck on a full flan with a detailed portrait. A grandson of Shapur I "The Great," Varhran II (also transliterated Bahram) was one of the most active and prolific of the early Sasanian kings. His military activities were focused on the kingdom's eastern frontier, which we expanded into Afghanistan and Sakistan. This left the Romans a relatively free hand in the west; an invasion by Carus (AD 282-283) reached the outskirts of Cstesiphon, but the emperor's mysterious death led to a quick withdrawal and the Sasanians suffered no permanent loss of territory. His later coinage and several famous bas reliefs depict Varhran along with his wife and two sons. His early coinage in gold, featuring the king himself without relations, is rare and seldom offered.
Estimate: 6000-8000 USD