Watch List notes:

SASANIAN KINGS. Yazdgird II, 438-457 AD. Æ (1.47 gm; 16 mm). Obverse,Yazdgird bust turning right with symbol of Crescent moon and a globe topped by a a flower Iris (Zoroastrian symbol) or cross shape element (globus cruciger (Latin for \"cross-bearing orb"\") . Nice original brown reddish patina. Choice EF. Extremely rare. Yazdgird II attempted to strengthen the centralization of state as well as Zoroastrianism. He began to forcefully convert Christians to Zoroastrianism which met with a stiff resistance in Armenia.Even though the Armenian general Vardan Mamikonian made a heroic effort to battle the Yazdgird's edict, he was defeated and killed in the battle of Avarayr (451 CE). The edict did not last long and eventually and Christians were left alone to practice their religion. The symbol might refer to power over the christians or spread of zoroastrianism. There are several other examples of the symbol appearing in Yazdgird's Æ and lead units. "