I need some ID help on some ancient Persian coins

Aethelred

I know almost nothing about these ancient Persian things other than that they are pre-Islamic, silver and neat. Any ID help would be very much appreciated!

Coin 1: Sassanian Empire, AR Drachm, 30mm


Coin 2: Sassanian Empire, AR Drachm, 28mm


Coin 3: Sassanian Empire, AR Drachm, 26mm

Lynch

I don't know much about these but this link might prove helpful.

spoon

Yep, I was gonna post that link

I'm really not good at IDing these and haven't tried to pin down the rulers yet, but I think these are your mints (right-side inscription on reverse):

1. ST - Persepolis
2. ShY - Shiraz
3. BYSh - Bishapur

Again, I'm clueless so someone'll need to second this. But hopefully it's a start at narrowing things down.

Aethelred

Interesting site, but this may take a little time!

spoon

Here's some more guesses: My gut says the first two are from Khusru II and the last may be an Arab imitation.

Regnal years (reverse left-side inscription), same caveats as before:
1. 27
2. 33
3. UNK

Though they're all pretty well clipped, I think the inscription outside of the obverse border on #3 may be bism Allah, but it kinda looks like too many letters so I dunno.

You might want to try asking at this forum.

Lynch

<< <i>Interesting site, but this may take a little time! >>



They look like they're worth investing the time to learn about. Very interesting coins. My guess is that they are tougher to find in decent shape than their prices might suggest.

Aethelred

<< <i>They look like they're worth investing the time to learn about. >>



I agree, I have never owned any of these before and I'd like to know more about them before I sell them (if I sell them).

spoon

If I'm right on the second one (and I'm fairly certain on this one), that it's a Khusru II, year 33, then you at least have an interesting talking piece. Year 33 of his reign translates to 622AD--the year of the Hajj. This is the closest type you get to a coin that circulated in west Arabia in the time of Mohammed. (that and contemp. Byzantine)

PM me whenever you get tired of it.

spoon

I asked about the second at another forum and I was right: Khusru II, Year 33/622AD, Shiraz mint. The inscription in the obverse margin is "AFID", meaning "praise", which apparently is fairly common on later Khusru II coins.

Ah, shoot... I was just plagiarizing! Here's the link to the guy who really knows.

But it looks like that solidifies the attribution on the first too: Khusru II, Year 27/616AD, Perseopolis mint with obverse marginal AFID/praise. Just have to find out what the last is now!