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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,604 |
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Hello, My wife and I were over to Sicily in 2011. As a longtime collector I inquired to some antique shops in Taormina, Sicily for antique coins. This one shop had some that she just aquired the day before and hadn't shown her husband yet. After some hesitation from her I was able to buy several nice pieces including this one shown. My question to the coin community is if anyone can help identify this coin. Thanks in advance Dave    |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Sassanian silver dirham, I believe, although an expert would need to identify king and period.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
And  . |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
to the community This is an AR Drachm for the Sassanian empire, from the crown it appears to be one of the lesser known rulers Valkas who ruled from 484-488 AD. Here is a link to the history of the Sassanian empire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasanian_Empire |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Here is a link to the Sasanian page at the Beast Coins educational website. http://www.beastcoins.com/Sasanian/Sasanian.htm br / It gives you tons of detailed info on how to recognize what you have, if you have/take the time to work through it. However, I did a quick scan of Sellwood, and I think your coin is a drachm of Varhan V (420-438 AD). The Beasley site does not show one of this particular rulers coins. |
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New Member
 United States
7 Posts |
Thanks everyone and for the link. I found a pic on that link that resembles my coin. Ruler was Yazdegerd II from 438-457 AD. Any value? And what alloy? Dave  |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The crown is usually the way to tell the ruler. Going through my copy of Gobl there is a difference between the way the crescent and orb are attached. On the Yazdegerd coin it has a more pronounced center piece, while on the Valkas it resembles your coin.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along with more information.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
According to Sellwood, Valkas had only one coin type, and it is distinguished by a double ring of beads around the rim of the design on the obverse. Here is a drachm of Valkas from V-coins:  Note also how busy the reverse is in comparison to the OP coin. By way of comparison here is a drachm of Varhran V:  It is closer, but the obverse Pahlavi inscription differs. So when B. checks in he can set it straight. |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
These are usually not all that difficult to ID, but I did overlook the single ring. Your reference to Varhran V matches close as you say. I also just notice what looks like a counter mark on the lower edge.  |
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Moderator
United States
34402 Posts |
Is it pretty typical for the fields of Sassanian drachm to be as textured as the OP's coin? I only have a couple of these. However, most of these that I have seen have much flatter fields. Not saying this coin is a fake, just trying to learn...
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Definitely Varhran V see Gobl table Obverse 1 a/alpha and reverse 2 a / beta. Pretty sure Varhran V.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks Nate, I knew you would have the answer.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I too do not wish to be pessimistic but the strike seems a little soft and fuzzy so I too have concerns.
I don't know enough to say there is anything wrong with the coin but first question when buying anything is "is this authentic?" so that still seems to be a question worth asking here.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
The coin has a hole in it, probably to turn it into jewelry, perhaps so it could be affixed to a bridal bracelet or gown, a common local custom for those things in Persia for a long time. Whatever the real reason for holing the coin, as thin as these are, of course it is going to look beat up.
But I really doubt that it is fake.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,604 |
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Posted 03/09/2016 3:32 pm
