St. James's Auctions
Auction 72 1 Mar 2023
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Sassanian, Shapur I, gold dinar, bust r., wearing diad. and mural crown with korymbos, rev. fire altar flanked by attendants, wt. 7.47gms. (Gobl 1/1), about extremely fine
The Persian king of the Sassanian Dynasty, Shapur I, was able to defeat the Roman Emperor Valerian at Edessa. The two empires had been at war for much time, and Shapur was able to take advantage of the chaotic Crisis of the Third Century. When Valerian was defeated, Shapur I kept him captive for the remainder of his life and the defeat has made for inspiration for the celebratory rock carvings at Fārs. The carvings date to 260 CE and show the defeated emperor bowing to the victorious Shapur, who is crowned on horseback. Legend says that Shapur would use Valerian as a footstool each time he mounted his horse, and once he had died, Shapur had him stuffed and displayed. This, a wonderful coin with rich canary yellow surfaces, recalls the power of the king who defeated a Roman emperor.
Estimate: 2500 - 3500 GBP
The Persian king of the Sassanian Dynasty, Shapur I, was able to defeat the Roman Emperor Valerian at Edessa. The two empires had been at war for much time, and Shapur was able to take advantage of the chaotic Crisis of the Third Century. When Valerian was defeated, Shapur I kept him captive for the remainder of his life and the defeat has made for inspiration for the celebratory rock carvings at Fārs. The carvings date to 260 CE and show the defeated emperor bowing to the victorious Shapur, who is crowned on horseback. Legend says that Shapur would use Valerian as a footstool each time he mounted his horse, and once he had died, Shapur had him stuffed and displayed. This, a wonderful coin with rich canary yellow surfaces, recalls the power of the king who defeated a Roman emperor.
Estimate: 2500 - 3500 GBP