Antiquities
Late Sasanian Silver Drachm with Zoroastrian Fire Altar
Hand-hammered silver drachm · Sasanian Empire, Eastern Anatolian frontier · c. 6th–7th century AD
US $55.00 · or best offer
Description
A late Sasanian silver drachm of the 6th–7th century AD, from the final phase of ancient imperial silver coinage. It is hand-hammered on a thin silver flan in the manner characteristic of late antique minting on the Near Eastern frontier.
The obverse shows a stylized royal bust wearing the imperial crown; the reverse carries the traditional Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by two ritual attendants. The specific mint cannot be read, the marginal inscriptions have been lost to circulation, though the coin circulated within the Eastern Anatolian frontier, where Sasanian authority and Byzantine influence overlapped into the early 7th century.
Approximately 4 grams in weight and 20 mm in diameter.
Details
| Culture | Sasanian Empire |
| Period | c. 6th–7th century AD |
| Denomination | Silver drachm |
| Material | Silver |
| Technique | Hand-hammered |
| Weight | ~4 g |
| Diameter | ~20 mm |
| Reference | eBay item 277956668265 |
Condition
Well circulated, with worn detail and outer margins lost to age-reduced diameter from long use. Surface marks consistent with ancient circulation and irregular edges; no active corrosion. Sold as found.
Fil Caravan · Art & Antiques, New York · inquiries@filcaravan.com
eBay item 277956668265 · https://www.ebay.com/itm/277956668265
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