Rise of the Sassanids

Ardashir I or Ardeshir I (Ardašire Bâbakân) was the founding father of the Sassanian Empire (224/226–651 CE) and also known as Ardashir the Unifier (180– 242 CE). Some texts call him Artaxerxes, surely pointing to the Persian continuity of rule. The…

The first minting phase of Ardashir began with his cononation as king of Fars after his bother Shapur, the originally designated king of Fars, died in a collapsing building (Bosworth 1999, 8). According to the interpretation from Altheim-Stiehl 1978,…

In 223/224 CE, Ardashir I gained victory over Artabanus in the Battle of Hormizdagan (Bosworth 1999, 14) and proclaimed himself King of Kings while still on the battlefield (Bosworth 1999, 15). Later, in 226/227 CE (Bosworth 1999, 409ff., N.B. 411;…

to be replaced, as later effort

Mint: Ecbatana
Region: Persis(Province / Vassal State)
Date: ca. 51 CE
Metal/Denomination: AR, Drachm
Weight/Diameter/Die-Axis: 3.51 g / 20 mm / 1 h
Obverse: Beaded; Vonones II, beared, helmeted bust facing with short beard wearing diadem with…

Mint: Ecbatana
Region: Persis(Province / Vassal State)
Date: 49–50 CE
Metal/Denomination: AR, Drachm
Weight/Diameter/Die-Axis: 3.67 g / 20 mm / 12 h
Obverse: Beaded; Meherdates' (Usurper) beaded, helmeted bust with short beard wearing diadem…