Challenge Of The Contemporary - Episode I

Out of my age range.

Nice variety of coins here! As stated before, non-European from this time frame are also welcome. I'll give it around another day and I'll declare a winner for this round.

All great coins for this round. But I have chosen and the win goes to Anoob. While I don't collect Indian coins, Anoob you give thorough backgrounds to them that definitely make them fun to learn about, and this one was no exception. The coin itself isn't bad-looking either

So go ahead and take it away Anoob!

Now lets look at the rise of the House of Sasan and what would become the Sassanian Empire. Sassanian Persia was a powerful contemporary of the Ancient Romans and the early Byzantine Empire. Under Ardashir I of Fars Iran, the Parthia dynasty was over thrown in 224 AD. His legacy is often out shined by his son and self appointed co-regent and eventual Shah, Shapur I. Made famous for defeating and killing Gordian III, defeating Philip the Arab, and capturing and stuffing Valerian I.


This coin is a very scarce and conditionally rare Billon Tetradrachm struck in the Parthian style. It represents one of the last Parthian coins or one the first Sassanian coins.
Sassanian Persia
Ctesiphon, Iraq
Ardashir I (b.180-242 AD d.)(r.224-242 AD)
BI Tetradrachm 25.6 mm x 11.20 grams
Obverse: Cuirassed bust of Ardashir I right in Parthian Headdress. Pahlavi legend- MAZDISN BAGI ARTAHSHATER MALKAN AIRAN"of the worshiper of Mazda, the divine Ardashir, King of Kings of Iran"
Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Alter with two attendants Pahlavi legend "NURAZI ARTASHATR "Fire of Ardashir"
ref:Gobl II/5

Stuffing Valerian! A CLUE!



A high quality billon tetradrachm of Valerian I from Roman Egypt. An important feature of this coinage is that it can be dated to the current era +/- one year!
Minted in the 7th Alexandrian year of Valerian I
Date is denoted by Greek letter Z = 259/60 AD
Great stlye draped/cuirassed portrait of the emperor
Nicely detailed large bust of Zeus
Billon Tetradrachm Struck AD 259/60.
( 10.0g, 21mm)
Ref:SNG Cop.-, Milne 4011-4012.

Valerian, captured by the Persians was used as a foot stool for mounting his horse by king Shapur; after his death his skin was stuff with straw and placed on display in a temple.

Sweet coin Pish.

Im sorry for reposting, but I cant get around this coin:

Gordian III Ant "Fides of Antioch" RARE Gordian III Emperor between 238-244 Silver Antoninianus

Obv: IMP GORDIAN PIVS FEL AVG - Radiate bust right,
cuirassed. Rev: FIDES MILITVM - Fides standing left, holding
a standard in each hand.
Antioch mint: AD 242-244
RIC IViii, 209 (r) Rare, page 37 - Cohen 92

Gordian was a very young emperor.
On 25 February AD 244 near Zaitha on the Euphrates the soldiers elected Philip emperor and Gordian III was (probably)killed. This after a setback in the campain against the Persians.
The senate though was informed he had died of natural causes.