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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,442 |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Ardashir III was the 26th Sasanian king from 628-630 AD. The empire was in it's waning years and would come to an end in a few years. Ardashir III was born in 621, the son of king Kavad II and Anzoy a Christian Byzantine princess. Given the history that the two empires had this did not make Kavad and his family popular with the Sasanian nobles. It was rumored that Ardashir was being raised a Christian. In 628 Kavad II died from the plague and Ardashir was elevated to the throne. He was only 7 years old at the time and too young to rule so a Vizier Mah-Adhur Gunshasp would rule until Ardashir came of age. This wasn't to be, in 630 he was usurped by Shahrbaraz and excuted. He was only 9 years. Shahrbaraz rule was a short 40 days and he was executed by the Sasanian nobles. He was replaced by Queen Boran. AR Drachm Year 2 AYLAN mint: Eran-asankar Kavad, in Media 31mm x 4.2g x 3h Gobl II/1  
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
An excellent addition to your Sasanian collection, Ron. The fire altar attendants are great. 
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Moderator
 United States
34430 Posts |
Ron, this coin has amazing remaining detail! It seems like high-grade Sasanian Drachms in general are not that hard to find (although that may not be the case for Ardashir III). Any thoughts on why so many are well preserved?
"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 |
Superb! His drachms don't come cheap.
Interesting also to note that he is one of the few Sassanian emperors who probably used a somewhat realistic portrait; the rest all used highly formal, idealized portraits on their coins.
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Moderator
  United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks all, I don't know how realistic his image is after all he was only 9 years old. This image seems a bit older than that. Other than early Khurso II and a few others these coins have been struck to a high standard. I am amazed at how well they have stood up to all those centuries with little to know wear, especially being struck in high grade silver as they were.
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Very nice coin Ron! Good detail and looks nicely toned..
How many rulers do you have now?
Congrats on the new addition Paul
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Pillar of the Community
United States
606 Posts |
Awesome coin! I am in love with the reverse.
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Moderator
  United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks for the comments. Paul I have at this point 11 different kings, several with more than one coin with differnt dates and mint marks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Interesting sidebar: While the vast majority of imitations of Sassanian coins are copies of Shapur II, Bahram V, Peroz, or Khusro II, I have heard it suggested that Vasudeva elected to copy Ardashir III for his coins; a comparison I can certainly see: 
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Moderator
  United States
23731 Posts |
I hadn't heard that but I can see how similar the bust looks.
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Valued Member
Canada
167 Posts |
Amazing coin Ron and very nice write up too. Sasanian is one of my main area in collecting now shifting mainly from roman and greek into parthian and sasanian in past couple years. I recently got ardashir III coin of mine and it is a coin referenced in Zeno.ru I forgot the zeno ID but can post later if someone interested. 
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1569 Posts |
Nice coin Ron.  I have two similar but the detail on mine is nowhere near as good.
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
@AlRashid...Always good to put the attribution if you can so as to help other collectors identify their own coins.
I have it is as year 2-tlyn / Mint AY at or near Eran-khvarrah-Shapur, Khuzistan. I hope you and Ron agree...
Really nice coin! Excellent detail and I really like the portrait. Good pick up... Paul
Edited by Palouche 09/16/2018 11:26 am
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Valued Member
Canada
167 Posts |
Hey Paul. Thanks for comment . Here is the details on my coin
Sasanians. Ardashir III (628 - 630AD)
AR drachm
4.20 g, 31.5 - 34 mm
Mint AY
Regnal year 2
Reference: Z-197768 (this coin)
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Moderator
  United States
23731 Posts |
Nice example AR, Sasanian is one of my many main area's of collecting. Given time and money I hope to come close to completing the series.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,442 |
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