Sasanian Empire Drachm - Ardashir I, 224 – 241

Drachm from Sasanian Empire. Issued from 224 to 241. Struck in Silver (.900). Measures 25 mm and weighs 4.1 g.

Obverse

A portrait of Ardashir I facing right. His crown takes the form of a close-fitting headdress crowned by globe. The headdress has a linear ornament. There are two small ribbons between the crown'globe and the close-fitting headdrees. There is no baslyk. There is a beaded rim around the picture. Pahlavi legend (Mazda worshipper, the lord (divine) Ardashir, king of kings of Iran, whose origin is from the gods)

Reverse

A fire-altar (atasdan) in the form of column with a capitellum and base consisting of some plates. Under the capitellum there is a tongue of flame. The capitellum is supported by stands in the form of "lion paws" resting upon censers. The stands are decorated with bows. There is a pointed rim around the picture. Pahlavi legend (Fire (fire-altar) of Ardashir)