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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,349 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Ardashir I, 224-242 AD Founder of the Sassanian empire AR Drachm   It'll be a good long while before I have this one in hand, but had to share the excitement! I normally go for volume and good deals, but this was the first one that just screamed "buy me!" At a little under $200 shipped, it was a lot to swallow for a single coin, but seems like a solid deal for a reasonably rare and very attractive coin. I am especially drawn to the Pahlavi legend, contrasted fields and devices, honest circulation wear, and what appears to be an overstrike, evidenced by some fuzzy details in front of Ardashir's face. Indeed, I am heading down a dangerous path....  How did I do with this one? Edited by Finn235
07/18/2016 3:36 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
You did very well. This coin is high on my list, I haven't been able to afford one yet. Excellent coin, congrats.
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Pillar of the Community
Norway
1358 Posts |
This coin is a beauty. Well done!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Oh, Steve! I'm so torn. I want to congratulate you on a spectacular pick-up - a real stunner. But, then, this is the guy who is responsible for the cessation of Parthian and Elymaean coinage.  What to do? Oh well:  Fantastic coin! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Btw, always nice to see another CCF member get bit by the Eastern bug! I hope it's contagious.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
There are some many historical empires that have come out of the East that have been overlooked by collectors, but are now starting to draw attention. Just six months ago coins from the Kushan empire were fairly cheap. Now they have sky rocketed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Agreed. Price increases in Kushans in particular have been extreme. I don't know how Sasanians compare, but I expect the same type of increases(?).
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Khusro I & II along with Kavad I and Hormazd IV remain fairly inexpensive, but any one else the prices have really gone up. I've been toying with the idea of building a collection on Khusro II mints. Scoring this Ardashir for the price was an excellent deal.
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Moderator
United States
34428 Posts |
Nice work. That is a great coin!
"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
6130 Posts |
Thanks all! Bob, you might be able to tell better than anyone... any idea what this could be overstruck on, if it is overstruck at all?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Was it advertised as overstruck, Steve? I'm not seeing anything too obvious that points in that direction. There's something at 4:00 on the obverse, above Ardashir's shoulder, but I don't know if that's a hint of an undertype or just some flan unevenness.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
That was what I was seeing as a possible undertype, although the closer I look, it may just be a ghost of the fire altar pillars showing through the even field. I guess we will see in a few weeks. Oh also, couldn't say no to combined shipping on this one:   Much more affordable at about $40. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Good pick up... the financial pain will fade but this one will always ve a highlight of your collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
...couldn't say no to combined shipping on this one: $40 is great for this one. You didn't say if you needed an attribution for it but, if so: Orodes II c. 57 - 38 BC AR drachm Mint: Court at Ecbatana Sellwood 43.2 |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
In the later years of Ardashir I's reign the long conflict with the Roman empire began with several battle but lost and won by the Sassanians. If this coin is overstruck it's more likely that it was done over Roman silver. A practice that continued with later rulers as they won battle over the Romans.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,349 |
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Posted 07/18/2016 3:48 pm
