Dublin Core
Title
Coin of Ardashir as King of Kings
Subject
Coin of Ardashir, during the interim period between 226 and 240 CE
Description
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; c.f. also Aleim-Stiehl 1978, 115; Felix 1985, 26 and Richter-Bernburg 1993, 72ff.), he conquered Ctesiphon (Bosworth 1999, 14), where he could possibly hold a more formal coronation, although no chroniclers state anything about that.
The rise of Ardashir had been completed at this stage, with his title changed from ‘God Ardashir, the King’ to ‘God Ardashir, the King of Iran’ to the final version of ‘King of Kings of Iran’, which is shown in the legend on the obverse of this coin. The fire altar resonates with Ardashir’s policy on religion, a total revitalization of Zoroastrianism, which also responses to the newly added word ‘Iran’ (or ‘Ayran’) in the obverse legend as a method of ‘invention of tradition’ from a mythical past.
The diadem, which is mounted by a sun, probably stands for the blessing from Ahura Mazda, just like the propagandistic relief of Naqš-i Rustam shows, in which the throne of the house of Sassan is portrayed with the investment of Ahura Mazda. The private fire altar on the reverse strengthened this religious tie between Ardashir and Ahura Mazda, and somewhat reflects Ardashir’s preference, coordinated with the legend on the obverse, on religion over other mundane affairs, whereafter the icon of the fire altar has become a standardized image for reverses of Sassanian coinages.
Bosworth, C. E. (trans.). 1999.
The History of al-Ṭabarī, Volume V: The Sāsānids, the Byzantines, the Lakhmids, and Yemen. Albany, New York.
Gariboldi, A. 2017.
Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum Tajikistan - Sasanian Coins and Their Imitations from Sogdiana and Toachristan, Volume I. Wien.
Felix, W. 1985.
Antike Litrarische Quellen zur Außenpolitik des Sasanidenstaates I. Wien, 224–309.
Richter-Bernburg, L. 1993.
“Mani’s Dodecads and Sassanian Chronology: Kephalaia; Shapuragan, and Codes Manichaicus Coloniensis.” Zeitschrift für Papyrogie und Epigrafik 95: 71–80.
Taqizadeh, S.H. 1943–1946.
“The Early Sasanians. Some Chronological Points which Call for Revision.” Bulletin of the Asia Institute 11: 20f.
Taqizadeh, S.H. and Henning, W.B. 1958.
“The Date of Mani's Life.” Asian Major 4: 108f.
The rise of Ardashir had been completed at this stage, with his title changed from ‘God Ardashir, the King’ to ‘God Ardashir, the King of Iran’ to the final version of ‘King of Kings of Iran’, which is shown in the legend on the obverse of this coin. The fire altar resonates with Ardashir’s policy on religion, a total revitalization of Zoroastrianism, which also responses to the newly added word ‘Iran’ (or ‘Ayran’) in the obverse legend as a method of ‘invention of tradition’ from a mythical past.
The diadem, which is mounted by a sun, probably stands for the blessing from Ahura Mazda, just like the propagandistic relief of Naqš-i Rustam shows, in which the throne of the house of Sassan is portrayed with the investment of Ahura Mazda. The private fire altar on the reverse strengthened this religious tie between Ardashir and Ahura Mazda, and somewhat reflects Ardashir’s preference, coordinated with the legend on the obverse, on religion over other mundane affairs, whereafter the icon of the fire altar has become a standardized image for reverses of Sassanian coinages.
Reference:
Bosworth, C. E. (trans.). 1999.
The History of al-Ṭabarī, Volume V: The Sāsānids, the Byzantines, the Lakhmids, and Yemen. Albany, New York.
Gariboldi, A. 2017.
Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum Tajikistan - Sasanian Coins and Their Imitations from Sogdiana and Toachristan, Volume I. Wien.
Felix, W. 1985.
Antike Litrarische Quellen zur Außenpolitik des Sasanidenstaates I. Wien, 224–309.
Richter-Bernburg, L. 1993.
“Mani’s Dodecads and Sassanian Chronology: Kephalaia; Shapuragan, and Codes Manichaicus Coloniensis.” Zeitschrift für Papyrogie und Epigrafik 95: 71–80.
Taqizadeh, S.H. 1943–1946.
“The Early Sasanians. Some Chronological Points which Call for Revision.” Bulletin of the Asia Institute 11: 20f.
Taqizadeh, S.H. and Henning, W.B. 1958.
“The Date of Mani's Life.” Asian Major 4: 108f.
Creator
WANG Fan
Date
223/4–240 CE
Rights
CoinArchives, ancient coin auction, originally from Leu Numismatik AG - Web Auction 16, 22 May 2021, Lot 1673.
Coins accessed under coinarchives.com (15.10.2021).
Coins accessed under leunumismatik.com (15.10.2021).
Format
coin
Language
English
Type
coin
Identifier
Coin of Ardashir, the interim period between 226 CE and 240CE
Coins Item Type Metadata
Mint/Region:
Mint C (Ctesiphon)
Date:
226/7–240 CE
Metal/Denomination:
AR, Hemidrachm
Weight/Diameter/Die-Axis:
2.0 g / 19 mm / 3 h
Obverse:
bearded; draped bust of Ardashir I to right, wearing a diadem and close-fitting headdress with korymbos and no earflaps
Legend: mzdysn bgy 'rthštr MRKAn MRKA 'yr'n mnw ctry MN yzd'n (Pahlawi, translation: Worshipper of Lord Mazda, 'God' Ardashir, King of Kings of Iran who has lineage from the Gods)
Legend: mzdysn bgy 'rthštr MRKAn MRKA 'yr'n mnw ctry MN yzd'n (Pahlawi, translation: Worshipper of Lord Mazda, 'God' Ardashir, King of Kings of Iran who has lineage from the Gods)
Reverse:
fire altar with diadems
Legend: NWRA ZY 'rthštr (Pahlawi, translation: Fire of Ardashir)
Legend: NWRA ZY 'rthštr (Pahlawi, translation: Fire of Ardashir)
Reference Catalogue/Link:
Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum vol.I, Ardashirr I, Type IIIa(4a)/3a(2b)15, 215.
Online Reference:
Coins accessed under coinarchives.com (15.10.2021).
Coins accessed under leunumismatik.com (15.10.2021).