At the beginning of the 7th century AD, the Byzantine Empire and Sassanian Persia were in exhausted from decades of warfare, mutually unfavorable treaties, dynastic infighting and vassal revolt.
The Byzantine empire was in disarray Phocas had overthrown Maurice Tiberius and and Khusro II took the opportunity to retake Egypt and the Levant for Persia. His ultimate goal was to push the Romans out of Asia.
Between Ad 618 and 621 Khusro II campaigned for domination of the Roman province of Egypt. It is known that Alexandria fell with little resistance, and was under governorship of a Sassanian general Shahrbaraz.
With the province cut off from the Romans, a successful Roman retake of Alexandria seemed impossible. However Shahrbaraz was convinced to withdraw from Alexandria on the promise of Roman support for claiming Khusro II's thrown for himself. Khusro II was assassinated in AD 628 and was quickly succeeded by several inept rulers.
While in Egypt Khusro II deviated from the normal Sassanian coin design of thin high purity silver coins and adopted the Byzantine style of coinage traditional to the area. I think this numismatic changed served several purposes, two keep precious silver from finding its way into Roman hands, and to administrate a system which the locals were used to, most likely done to minimize the economic and productive impact of a complete monetary reform.
The coins of the Alexandrian mint are all quite scarce and probably indicates a small emission. These bronze coins valued at 12 nummi come in 2 distinct sizes approx 8 grams and 12 grams although smaller and larger sizes have come to market. Small nummi denominations are scarce but are often very crude and poorly preserved. The large Module 12 nummi is considered the most rare and the DOC only reports one example in their collection is represents a ratio of 30 or so small modules for every 1 large module.
This is a totally awesome piece and is a jewel in my collection of Sassanian Persia AND the Byzantine Empire. This coin is quite well preserved and has the fabric of an 3rd century Roman Alexandrian tetradrachm.
Sassanian Persia
Alexandria, Egypt
AE 12 Nummi (AD 621-628)
24 mm x 14.22 grams
Obverse: Bust of Khusro II facing forward wearing a Crown with Star to left Crescent to right Cross center.
Reverse: I/B either side of cross on orb, Greek legend ALEZ in ex.
Ref: SB #856, DOC #192
Note: Very Rare. Ex Tom Wood
Posted 02/23/2015 11:22 pm
