Sasanian Empire Obol - Narseh, 293 – 303

Obol from Sasanian Empire. Issued from 293 to 303. Struck in Silver (.900). Measures 15 mm and weighs 0.64 g.

Obverse

A portrait of Narseh facing right. His crown is in the form of a fluted diadem, crowned by a globe and with three palmettos. The ends of the ribbons flow from the diadem. His hair in twisted plaits falling onto the shoulders. Bearded face and turned-up moustache. He wears an earring of two small beads and a necklace around his neck.

Reverse

An atasdan in the form of column with a base and capitellum. The column is covered by ribbons with bands. Along the two sides of atasdan there are two attendants with swords in their hands. The figure on the left wears a crown with a globe, the one on the right is Ahura-Mazda. To the left of the fire there is a "royal sign", on the right-hand side is a "sign of the heir to the throne"