SASANIAN KINGS — Bahram V (AD 420–438) Silver Drachm, Veh-Ardashir (WH) mint Obverse: Draped bust of Bahram V to right, wearing an elaborate crown adorned with mural elements and a korymbos; ribbons and diadem ends visible. Legend in Pahlavi, to left and right: “mzdysn bgy l’mštl wlhl’n MLKʾn MLKʾ” = mazdēsn bay Rāmšahr Wahrām šāhān šāh (“The Mazda-worshipping divine lord with a peaceful realm, Bahram, King of Kings”). Reverse: Fire altar with ribbons; flames rising from the altar shaft, flanked by two attendants, each holding a barsom. In left field: “WH” (Veh-Ardashir mint signature, in Pahlavi). On altar shaft: “lʾst” (rāst = “true” in Pahlavi). References: Göbl I/1; SNS III/1, type Ib2/1. Condition: Light areas of weakness; hairline crack at flan edge (stable). Weight: 4.19 g | Diameter: 28 mm. ________________________________________ Bahram V, known as Bahram Gōr (“Bahram the Onager”), was one of the most celebrated Sasanian rulers, renowned in Persian literature for his chivalry, love of music and hunting, and the relative peace of his reign. His coinage is typified by elegant portraiture, consistent use of Pahlavi legends proclaiming his devotion to Ahura Mazda, and the standardized fire-altar reverse that symbolized Zoroastrian orthodoxy across the empire. Issues from Veh-Ardashir (near modern-day Ctesiphon) are among the best executed and most historically significant of his series.