Sasanian Kings of Persia, AR Drachm Circa 5th century AD A silver drachm. Obv.: crowned bust facing right, wearing a winged crown, within a beaded border. Rev.: fire altar with a flaming shaft, star and crescent above, all within a beaded border. The Sasanian dynasty was the last pre-Islamic imperial house of Iran, ruling from AD 224 to 651 over a vast realm centred on Mesopotamia and the Iranian plateau, with its capital at Ctesiphon on the Tigris. Founded by Ardashir I after the overthrow of the Parthian Arsacids, it established a strongly centralised monarchy that promoted Zoroastrianism as a state religion and developed a sophisticated administrative, fiscal and legal system. The Sasanians were Rome and Byzantium’s principal eastern rival, engaging in repeated wars over Armenia, Mesopotamia and the Levant, while also controlling key trade routes linking the Mediterranean to Central and South Asia. Their court culture, monumental architecture, rock reliefs and luxury arts exerted a lasting influence on the early Islamic world and helped shape later concepts of Iranian kingship and identity. Dimensions: 2,7cm x 2,7cm x 0,1cm Provenance: Private European Collection; formerly acquired from old UK and European collection formed since the 1970s. Disclaimer: NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE of THE EUROPEAN UNION. All items will be shipped from Belgium. The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits. The seller will not ship outside the EU.