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.