Sasanian Silver Tabaristan hemidrachm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 160 - € 200
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Description from the seller
A beautiful silver hemidrachm from the Sasanian-Tabaristan period. The obverse shows the bust of a Sasanian king looking to the right, wearing a crown with wings. The bust is encircled by a circular motif with four stars arranged in crescents and evenly distributed along the outer edge. He features the classic Sasanian traits such as a beard and mustache. The reverse shows a fire altar with two attendants facing each other.
Tabaristan was an ancient region on the Caspian Sea. Sasanian coins were characterized by always depicting the royal headgear on one side and the fire altar with attendants on the other. Over time little changed in the coins; the king’s face remained that of a person, but the attendants became more stylized, similar to these coins. The fire altar is a symbol of Zoroastrianism, the first religion whose practice is known in West Asian history. The first Sasanian ruler, Ardashir I, devoted himself to this religion and had the fire altar rendered on the coin. The coins served as propaganda tools to promote both religious and political views.
Diameter: 2.5 cm
Weight: 1.7 g
Provenance: Former private collection from Cambridgeshire, acquired in the 1970s.
Important information:
The seller guarantees that he is authorized to ship this item. Due to the complex cultural laws, we can ship this item only within the EU and to the United Kingdom or Switzerland.
A beautiful silver hemidrachm from the Sasanian-Tabaristan period. The obverse shows the bust of a Sasanian king looking to the right, wearing a crown with wings. The bust is encircled by a circular motif with four stars arranged in crescents and evenly distributed along the outer edge. He features the classic Sasanian traits such as a beard and mustache. The reverse shows a fire altar with two attendants facing each other.
Tabaristan was an ancient region on the Caspian Sea. Sasanian coins were characterized by always depicting the royal headgear on one side and the fire altar with attendants on the other. Over time little changed in the coins; the king’s face remained that of a person, but the attendants became more stylized, similar to these coins. The fire altar is a symbol of Zoroastrianism, the first religion whose practice is known in West Asian history. The first Sasanian ruler, Ardashir I, devoted himself to this religion and had the fire altar rendered on the coin. The coins served as propaganda tools to promote both religious and political views.
Diameter: 2.5 cm
Weight: 1.7 g
Provenance: Former private collection from Cambridgeshire, acquired in the 1970s.
Important information:
The seller guarantees that he is authorized to ship this item. Due to the complex cultural laws, we can ship this item only within the EU and to the United Kingdom or Switzerland.
Details
Culture
Sasanian
Century/timeframe
Circa AD 711-793
Name of object
Tabaristan hemidrachm
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2024
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1975
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
