Sasanian Silver Drachm, Hormizd IV
11
days
21
hours
52
minutes
37
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Sasanian silver drachm of Hormizd IV (579–590 AD), about 32 mm in diameter and 4.03 g, obverse with the crowned cuirassed bust facing right and beaded border, reverse with the fire altar and attendants, in good condition and authentic.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A Sasanian silver drachm of Hormizd IV, ruler of the Sasanian Empire from AD 579 to 590. The obverse shows the crowned and cuirassed bust of the king facing right, within a beaded border. Three stars within crescents around.
The reverse depicts the traditional Sasanian fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two attendants, star and crescent flanking flames. All enclosed within a beaded border.
-> Sasanian drachms were widely circulated silver coins and followed a highly recognisable design. The king’s portrait expressed royal authority, while the reverse fire altar reflected the central importance of Zoroastrian religion and the sacred legitimacy of Sasanian rule.
Diameter: ± 32 mm
Weight: ± 4,03 g
Condition:
Good ancient condition. The royal bust, crown details, fire altar, and attendants remain clearly visible, with some softness to the finer elements. Signs of wear and minor edge irregularities consistent with age and use.
VF
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Hormizd IV was the son of the great Sasanian ruler Khosrow I Anushirvan and inherited a powerful but politically tense empire. His reign was marked by continued warfare with the Byzantine Empire, pressure on the eastern frontiers, and increasing conflict with the Persian nobility and priestly elite.
One of the most important events of his reign was the rise of the general Bahram Chobin, who won major victories in the east but later rebelled against royal authority. Hormizd IV was eventually overthrown in AD 590 and succeeded by his son Khosrow II, one of the last great Sasanian kings.
-> Sasanian drachms were widely circulated silver coins of the Persian Empire, used from the 3rd to 7th century AD. Their designs were highly standardised, with the king’s portrait on one side and a Zoroastrian fire altar on the other, reflecting both royal authority and religious legitimacy.
-> The fire altar was one of the most important symbols in Sasanian coinage, representing the sacred fire of Zoroastrian worship. The two attendants beside the altar emphasise the ceremonial and religious character of the reverse, linking the king’s rule with divine protection and tradition.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A Sasanian silver drachm of Hormizd IV, ruler of the Sasanian Empire from AD 579 to 590. The obverse shows the crowned and cuirassed bust of the king facing right, within a beaded border. Three stars within crescents around.
The reverse depicts the traditional Sasanian fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two attendants, star and crescent flanking flames. All enclosed within a beaded border.
-> Sasanian drachms were widely circulated silver coins and followed a highly recognisable design. The king’s portrait expressed royal authority, while the reverse fire altar reflected the central importance of Zoroastrian religion and the sacred legitimacy of Sasanian rule.
Diameter: ± 32 mm
Weight: ± 4,03 g
Condition:
Good ancient condition. The royal bust, crown details, fire altar, and attendants remain clearly visible, with some softness to the finer elements. Signs of wear and minor edge irregularities consistent with age and use.
VF
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Hormizd IV was the son of the great Sasanian ruler Khosrow I Anushirvan and inherited a powerful but politically tense empire. His reign was marked by continued warfare with the Byzantine Empire, pressure on the eastern frontiers, and increasing conflict with the Persian nobility and priestly elite.
One of the most important events of his reign was the rise of the general Bahram Chobin, who won major victories in the east but later rebelled against royal authority. Hormizd IV was eventually overthrown in AD 590 and succeeded by his son Khosrow II, one of the last great Sasanian kings.
-> Sasanian drachms were widely circulated silver coins of the Persian Empire, used from the 3rd to 7th century AD. Their designs were highly standardised, with the king’s portrait on one side and a Zoroastrian fire altar on the other, reflecting both royal authority and religious legitimacy.
-> The fire altar was one of the most important symbols in Sasanian coinage, representing the sacred fire of Zoroastrian worship. The two attendants beside the altar emphasise the ceremonial and religious character of the reverse, linking the king’s rule with divine protection and tradition.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Sasanian
Century/timeframe
579-590 AD
Name of object
Drachm, Hormizd IV
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
