Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4
Date: 2025-01-14 15:00:00 (3 weeks from now)
Lots: 1152
Total starting: $ 3,093,540.00
In this auction, Numistats has matched 120 coins, providing AI-powered purchase recommendations and detailed analysis. View more.
Auction Summary
La subasta "Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4", programada para el 14 de enero de 2025, presenta una impresionante colección de 1152 lotes, destacando monedas de diversas épocas y regiones. Entre las piezas más notables se encuentra un estater de plata de Arkadia, datado entre 360-350 a.C., que muestra un magnífico retrato de Deméter y Hermes, con un precio estimado de 180,000 USD. También se destaca un denario de Bruto, famoso por conmemorar el asesinato de Julio César, que se ofrece por 150,000 USD, siendo considerado uno de los más icónicos de la numismática romana. Otro ejemplar notable es un estater de oro de Nektanebo II de Egipto, que representa un caballo y un collar jeroglífico, con un precio de 60,000 USD. Además, se presenta un dekadrachm de Siracusa, que es considerado uno de los más bellos de la antigüedad, con un precio de 60,000 USD. Estas monedas no solo son valiosas por su rareza y belleza, sino que también representan momentos significativos de la historia antigua, lo que las convierte en piezas de gran interés para coleccionistas y estudiosos.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 422
BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I Megas. Circa 170-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (35mm, 16.80 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear; bead-and-reel border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛΟΥ above, EYKPATIΔOY in exergue, the Dioskouroi, holding palm fronds and spears, on horses rearing right; monogram in lower right field. Bopearachchi 6W; Bopearachchi & Rahman 245; MIG Type 177f; SNG ANS 469–71; HGC 12, 131. Deeply toned, with traces of iridescence, some light pitting and edge marks. EF.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 72 (12 May 1998), lot 378.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 72 (12 May 1998), lot 378.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 423
BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I Megas. Circa 170-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (33mm, 16.96 g, 12h). Diademed and helmeted heroic bust left, seen from behind, brandishing spear in right hand / BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY around, EYKPATIΔOY in exergue, the Dioskouroi, holding palm fronds and spears, on horses rearing right; monogram in lower right field. Bopearachchi 8B; Bopearachchi & Rahman 255; MIG Type 179a; SNG ANS 485; HGC 12, 132. Deeply toned, with traces of iridescence, some porosity, possible shroff mark or potential piercing on obverse, edge marks and evidence of possible prior mounting. Good VF.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 72 (12 May 1998), lot 379.
From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 72 (12 May 1998), lot 379.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 424
BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides II Soter. Circa 145-140 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32mm, 16.96 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, EYKPATIΔOY to left, Apollo, holding arrow in hand, standing left and leaning on bow set on ground; monogram to inner left. Bopearachchi 1I; Bopearachchi & Rahman –; MIG –; SNG ANS 623; HGC 12, 161. Iridescent toning, areas of deposits, hint of underlying luster. EF. Attractive example.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 425
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Menander I Soter. Circa 155-130 BC. AV Stater (20mm, 8.46 g, 11h). Draped bust of Athena right, wearing crested helmet adorned with wing; all within bead-and-reel border / Owl standing right on ground line, head facing; A to left; all within bead-and-reel border. Bopearachchi 1A; MIG Type 211a; SNG ANS 682; Zeno –; HGC 12, 494; Boston MFA Supp. 312; Treasures of Ancient Bactria (Miho Museum), 46a (same obv. die). Lightly toned, traces of deposits, numerous marks, edge marks. Near EF. Very rare.
Unlike his silver and bronze issues, the gold coinage of Menander I Soter is very rare (as is the case with Baktrian gold issues in general). This stater, with the helmeted head of Athena on the obverse and an owl on the reverse, is among the rarest. Mitchiner questioned the authenticity of some of the examples he recorded (noted below), but did not doubt the 1888 British Museum specimen, which is struck from the same obverse die as the present coin (at a later die state). Bopearachchi, in a note on the series, repeated Mitchiner’s reservation without further elucidation. Some examples, such as the two in the ANS, have been condemned, but twelve of the known pieces remain as likely genuine. Notably, none of the pieces published from obverse die A, below, have been questioned.
1. A/a
a) Triton XXVIII, lot 425 (this coin)
2. A/b
a) Bombay, Price of Wales Museum [A.S. Altekar, JNSI 11 (1949), pp. 45–6, pl. I, 2]
b) Private collection
3. A/c
a) Koka, Miho Museum [Treasures of Ancient Bactria 46a]
b) CNG 102, lot 706
4. A/d
a) London, British Museum, inv. 1888,1208.283 [MIG Type 211a (top photo)]
5. B/e
a) Oxford, Ashmolean Museum [Haughton Collection 395 (questioned by Mitchiner)]
b) London, British Museum, inv. 1939,0512.1 [R. B. Whitehead, NC 1940, 5 (questioned by Mitchiner)].
c) Private collection [Haughton Collection 396 (questioned by Mitchiner)]
d) Private collection
6. C/f
a) Boston, Museum of Fine Arts [Boston MFA Supp. 312; Haughton Collection 397]
7. Unseen
a) Varanasi, Banaras Hindu University [A.S. Altekar, JNSI 11 (1949), p. 46]
Unlike his silver and bronze issues, the gold coinage of Menander I Soter is very rare (as is the case with Baktrian gold issues in general). This stater, with the helmeted head of Athena on the obverse and an owl on the reverse, is among the rarest. Mitchiner questioned the authenticity of some of the examples he recorded (noted below), but did not doubt the 1888 British Museum specimen, which is struck from the same obverse die as the present coin (at a later die state). Bopearachchi, in a note on the series, repeated Mitchiner’s reservation without further elucidation. Some examples, such as the two in the ANS, have been condemned, but twelve of the known pieces remain as likely genuine. Notably, none of the pieces published from obverse die A, below, have been questioned.
1. A/a
a) Triton XXVIII, lot 425 (this coin)
2. A/b
a) Bombay, Price of Wales Museum [A.S. Altekar, JNSI 11 (1949), pp. 45–6, pl. I, 2]
b) Private collection
3. A/c
a) Koka, Miho Museum [Treasures of Ancient Bactria 46a]
b) CNG 102, lot 706
4. A/d
a) London, British Museum, inv. 1888,1208.283 [MIG Type 211a (top photo)]
5. B/e
a) Oxford, Ashmolean Museum [Haughton Collection 395 (questioned by Mitchiner)]
b) London, British Museum, inv. 1939,0512.1 [R. B. Whitehead, NC 1940, 5 (questioned by Mitchiner)].
c) Private collection [Haughton Collection 396 (questioned by Mitchiner)]
d) Private collection
6. C/f
a) Boston, Museum of Fine Arts [Boston MFA Supp. 312; Haughton Collection 397]
7. Unseen
a) Varanasi, Banaras Hindu University [A.S. Altekar, JNSI 11 (1949), p. 46]
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 426
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Antialkidas Nikephoros. Circa 130-120 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 9.85 g, 12h). ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ, diademed and draped bust right / Maharajasa jayadharasa Amtialikidasa in Kharosthi, Zeus standing facing slightly left, holding in his right hand Nike, who stands right on a globe and holding wreath, and cradling scepter in his left arm; behind, elephant standing slightly raised right with trunk raised; monogram to left. Bopearachchi 6A; Bopearachchi & Rahman –; MIG Type 273a; SNG ANS 1057; HGC 12, 252. Iridescent toning, hint of deposits, light porosity and marks. Good VF.
Ex Gorny & Mosch 297 (9 October 2023), lot 331.
Ex Gorny & Mosch 297 (9 October 2023), lot 331.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 427
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Strato I Soter. Circa 105-85/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27.5mm, 9.83 g, 12h). BAΣIΛEΩΣ EΠΦANOYΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ ΣTPATΩNOΣ, diademed and draped bust right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear / Maharajasa pracachasa tratarasa Stratasa in Kharosthi, Athena Alkidemos standing left, brandishing thunderbolt and aegis; monogram to inner left. Bopearachchi 28A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 430-1; MIG Type 332a; SNG ANS –; Zeno 321221 (this coin); HGC 12, 335. Light iridescent toning, slight double strike and slightly off center on reverse. EF. Rare.
Ex Gorny & Mosch 297 (9 October 2023), lot 383.
Like most Indo-Greek rulers, Strato I is unknown to history apart from his coins, which suggest his rule encompassed Gandhara and the Punjab. His earliest coins show a youthful bust conjoined with that of a woman named Agathokleia, possibly his mother. His solo portraits show a somewhat older visage, some sporting a broad-rimmed helmet like that of Eukratides. Athena appears in several poses on the reverses of his coins, here in the traditional stance of Athena Alkidemos, preparing to hurl a thunderbolt.
Ex Gorny & Mosch 297 (9 October 2023), lot 383.
Like most Indo-Greek rulers, Strato I is unknown to history apart from his coins, which suggest his rule encompassed Gandhara and the Punjab. His earliest coins show a youthful bust conjoined with that of a woman named Agathokleia, possibly his mother. His solo portraits show a somewhat older visage, some sporting a broad-rimmed helmet like that of Eukratides. Athena appears in several poses on the reverses of his coins, here in the traditional stance of Athena Alkidemos, preparing to hurl a thunderbolt.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 428
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Artemidoros Aniketos. Circa 100-80 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 9.62 g, 12h). ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΝΙΚΗTΟΥ ΑPTEMIΔΩPOY, diademed and draped bust right; straight diadem ties / Maharajasa apadihatasa Amtialikidasa in Kharosthi, Artemis standing left, quiver at shoulder, drawing bow; monogram to left. Bopearachchi 2A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 498 var. (one diadem tie angled); MIG Type 398a; SNG ANS –; HGC 12, 352. Iridescent toning, hint of deposits. Near EF. Very rare monogram.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 429
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Hippostratos Soter. Circa 65-55 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 9.50 g, 12h). BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ IΠΠOΣTPATOY, diademed and draped bust right / Maharajasa tratarasa Hiramayasa in Kharosthi, Hippostratos, in military attire, on horse rearing right on ground line; monogram below. Bopearachchi 3A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 662-3; MIG Type 441a; SNG ANS 1622-3; HGC 12, 449. In NGC encapsulation 6763169-008, graded XF ★, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 430
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Kanishka I. Circa AD 127-151. AV Quarter Dinar (13mm, 2.01 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. Þ AONANOÞAO KANhÞKI KOÞANO, diademed and crowned half-length bust of Kanishka left on clouds, holding spear; flames at shoulder / AΘÞO to right, Athsho standing left, holding diadem in extended right hand and resting left hand on hilt; tamgha to left. MK 41 (O1/R10α [unlisted die combination]); ANS Kushan 376 (same dies); Donum Burns 122 (same dies); Zeno 197596 (this coin). Light reddish toning, tiny edge ding, struck from worn obverse die. Good VF. Very rare.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Dr. D. Löer Collection (Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 28 (9 December 2023), lot 2060; Heritage Europe 58 (15 May 2018), lot 7027.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Dr. D. Löer Collection (Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 28 (9 December 2023), lot 2060; Heritage Europe 58 (15 May 2018), lot 7027.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 431
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Kanishka I. Circa AD 127-151. AV Dinar (20mm, 7.89 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Late phase. ÞA[ON]ANOÞAO KA NhÞKI KOÞAN[O], Kanishka, diademed and crowned, standing facing, head left, holding goad and scepter, sacrificing over altar to left; flame at shoulder / MA(retrograde h)AOBAΓO to left, Manaobago, nimbate and helmeted, with lunar horns at shoulders, seated facing on raised stool, cushioned and with curving legs, feet on footstool, head right and with four arms: lower right on hip, upper right holding coins or fruit, upper left holding mace-scepter, and lower left holding torque; tamgha to right. MK 59 (O13/R2); ANS Kushan 385; Donum Burns 129; Triton XXIII, lot 554; Spink 248 lot 124; CNG 100, lot 1662; Baldwin’s 91, lot 3831; Goldberg 75, lot 2541 = Goldberg 69, lot 3206; Heritage 3020, lot 25059 (same rev. die, but later die state). Toned, deposits in devices, evidence of prior mounting. VF. Extremely rare, Göbl cites four examples, eight in CoinArchives (including this coin).
Ex Spink 248 (25 September 2017), lot 124 (hammer £6,000).
Ex Spink 248 (25 September 2017), lot 124 (hammer £6,000).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 432
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Quarter Dinar (13.5mm, 1.96 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. ÞΔO(retrograde h)A(retrograde h)OÞA[O] OOhÞKI KOÞ[α(retrograde h)O], diademed and crowned half-length bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter and goad / CK A(retrograde h)ΔO KO M A PO BIZAΓ O, Skando-Komaro and Bizago, both nimbate, standing facing, heads vis-à-vis; Skando-Komaro holding spear in right hand, left hand on hilt; Bizago with right hand on hip, holding spear in left hand; tamgha between. MK 166 (O22/R3); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Zeno –. Lightly toned. EF. Very rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 433
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Quarter Dinar (13mm, 1.98 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. ÞΔO(retrograde h)[A(retrograde h)OÞAO] OOhÞKI KOÞA(retrograde h)O, diademed and crowned half-length bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter and goad / (retrograde h)A(retrograde h)A OhÞ O, Nana, nimbate, and Siva standing facing, heads vis-à-vis; Nana holding scepter and box; Siva pouring water from flask and holding vajra (thunderbolt), trident, and he-goat; tamgha between. MK 167 (O20/R1); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Zeno –; CNG 117 (Archytas Collection), lot 377. Lightly toned, hint of deposits, obverse struck with worn die. Good VF. Extremely rare, two examples cited by Göbl, only the Archytas coin in CoinArchives.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 434
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 152-192. AV Dinar (21mm, 7.91 g, 12h). Subsidiary mint in Gandhara (Peshawar?). Early phase. ÞhO(retrograde h)A(retrograde h)OÞAO O OhÞKI KOÞA(retrograde h)[O], crowned and diademed bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter in right hand and goad in left; flames over shoulder / MIIPO to right, Miiro (Mithra) standing facing, head left, extending hand in benediction, cradling filleted scepter, and holding hilt of sword; tamgha to left. MK 291 (O30/R10); ANS Kushan 755; Donum Burns –. Lightly toned. EF.
Ex Sovereign Rarities inventory #EM13453 (ND); Classical Numismatic Group 87 (18 May 2011), lot 779.
Ex Sovereign Rarities inventory #EM13453 (ND); Classical Numismatic Group 87 (18 May 2011), lot 779.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 435
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Quarter Dinar (13mm, 1.99 g, 12h). Subsidiary mint in Gandhara (Peshawar?). Early phase. ÞΔO(retrograde h)A(retrograde h)OÞAO O OhÞKI KOÞA(retrograde h)O, diademed and crowned half-length bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter in right hand and goad in left / NAИA to left, Nana, nimbate, wearing fillet and crescent, standing right, holding scepter and box; tamgha to right. MK 314 (O40/R32); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns 281 (same dies); Zeno –. Struck with worn reverse die. EF. Rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 436
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vasudeva I. Circa AD 190-230. AV Quarter Dinar (13mm, 1.94 g, 12h). Subsidiary mint in Gandhara (Peshawar?). Middle phase. ÞαO(retrograde h)α(retrograde h)OÞαO B αζOα hOÞα (retrograde h) O, Vasudeva, nimbate, helmeted, and diademed, standing facing, head left, holding trident, sacrificing over altar to left / Oh(retrogradeÞ)O to right, ithyphallic Siva standing facing, diadem and trident; tamgha to left. MK 505 (O11/R1); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Zeno #244725 (this coin). Toned, deposits in devices, flaw at edge of reverse. VF. Very rare.
Ex Roma E-Sale 82 (15 April 2021), lot 829; Roma E-Sale 68 (27 February 2020), lot 829.
Ex Roma E-Sale 82 (15 April 2021), lot 829; Roma E-Sale 68 (27 February 2020), lot 829.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 437
INDIA, Gupta Empire. First Dynasty. Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. Circa AD 380-413. AV Dinar (18mm, 7.73 g, 12h). Lion-slayer type. narendrachandraḥ [...]vikramaḥ in Brahmi, Chandragupta, nimbate, standing facing left, drawing his bow upon a lion, which falls over backwards / siṁhavikramaḥ in Brahmi, Lakshmi, nimbate, seated facing on lion sleeping left, holding diadem and cornucopia; tamgha to upper left. Kumar (2nd ed.) 12.7, Class III, Variety A.4.2, 467 (same dies); Sunrise –; BKB 114; BMC Guptas 112; Altekar Class II, Variety F; Bayana 1177. Toned, worn dies, small test cut on edge. VF. Very rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 438
INDIA, Gupta Empire. First Dynasty. Kumaragupta I Mahendraditya. Circa AD 413-455. AV Dinar (18mm, 7.95 g, 12h). Elephant-rider/Lion-trampler type. kṣhata Kumā[...] in Brahmi, Kumaragupta seated right on caparisoned elephant advancing right and stepping on lion with left foreleg; behind Kumaragupta, an attendant holding a parasol / simhanihaṁtā mahendragajaḥ in Brahmi, Lakshmi, nimbate, standing facing, head left, holding lotus and making benedictional gesture to peacock to left, standing right. Kumar (2nd ed.) 13.6, 630 (same dies); BKB 187; BMC Guptas –; Altekar, pp. 195-7; Bayana 1795-8. Toned. Good VF. Very rare, one of fifteen specimens known.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 439
INDIA, Gupta Empire. First Dynasty. Kumaragupta I Mahendraditya. Circa AD 413-455. AV Dinar (19mm, 8.11 g, 12h). Tiger-slayer type. srimam vygāhrabalaparākra[ma] in Brahmi, Kumaragupta, nimbate, standing facing left, drawing his bow upon a tiger, which falls over backwards; ku in Brahmi below left arm / kumāragupto’dhirajaḥ in Brahmi, Lakshmi, nimbate, standing right on mākāra (the goddess Gānga), holding lotus and feeding a peacock; tamgha to upper left. Kumar (2nd ed.) 13.15, Variety A.1; BKB 181-2; BMC Guptas 244; Altekar Variety A; Bayana 1719. Toned, slight peripheral weakness. Good VF. Rare.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 440
SASANIAN KINGS. Šābuhr (Shahpur) I. AD 240-272. AV Dinar (21mm, 7.24 g, 3h). Mint I (“Ctesiphon”). Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. mzdysn bgy šhpwhry MRK’n MRK’ ’yr’n MNW ctry MN yzd’n in Pahlavi, bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown with korymbos; pellet above between merlon and korymbos / nwr’zy in Pahlavi to right, šhpwhry in Pahlavi to left, fire altar; flanked by two attendants wearing mural crowns. SNS type IIc/1b, style P, group d/1; Saeedi AV4 var. (no pellet); Sunrise 739 var. (same). Lightly toned, slight peripheral weakness. EF.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 16 (22 May 2021), lot 1676.
From the JTB Collection. Ex Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 16 (22 May 2021), lot 1676.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 441
SASANIAN KINGS. Šābuhr (Shahpur) I. AD 240-272. AV Dinar (21mm, 7.36 g, 3h). Mint I (“Ctesiphon”). Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. mzdysn bgy šhpwhry MRK’n MRK’ ’yr’n MNW ctry MN yzd’n in Pahlavi, bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown with korymbos; one pellet above and two pellets below diadem ties / nwr’zy in Pahlavi to right, šhpwhry in Pahlavi to left, fire altar; flanked by two attendants wearing mural crowns; fravahr to left of flames. SNS type IIc/1b, style P, group d/1; Saeedi AV5; Sunrise 740. Lightly toned, traces of underlying luster, light die rust on obverse. EF.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 442
SASANIAN KINGS. Ohrmazd (Hormizd) I. AD 272-273. AV Dinar (22mm, 7.41 g, 3h). Style Abis. Uncertain mint. mzdysn bgy ’hrmzdy MRK’n MRK’ ’yr’n W ’n’yr’n MNW ctry MN yzd’n in Pahlavi, bust right, wearing diadem and crown with korymbos; two pellets between upper and lower ribbons; crown and korymbos decorated with pellets / ’wḥrmzdy in blundered Pahlavi) to left, NWR’ zy in blundered Pahlavi to right, fire altar; flanked by two attendants, left wearing crown with korymbos, right wearing mural crown and holding diadem. SNS type Ib(1)/2b(1) and pl. 2, A9 = Saeedi AV 10; Sunrise –; Zeno –. Toned, edge flaw. Good VF. Extremely rare denomination for this ruler, only the second known dinar of this particular variety for Ohrmazd I (the other being the Saaedi coin).
The third son of the conquering monarch Šābuhr (Shahpur) I (AD 240-270), Ohrmazd I first comes to historical light as one of his father’s commanders during the Sasanian invasion of the Roman east in AD 253-256. Legend has it he was advanced in the succession due to a prophecy. His name is recorded on an inscription in Persepolis as “Great King of the Armenians,” a title granted to the royal heir much as “Prince of Wales” is used nowadays to designate the heir to the British throne. He was raised to the Persian throne upon the death of his father, either in AD 270 or 272. Very little is known about his brief reign. His coins bear his title “King of Kings of the Iranians” but also add “and non-Iranians,” an innovation carried on by succeeding Sasanian monarchs. His coins also differ from those of his father in that the fire attendants on the reverse are usually shown facing inward toward the altar, as opposed to facing away. Unlike his father’s long and consequential rule, Ohrmazd I’s reign was only about a year, and the cause of his death is unrecorded. Although he is known to have had a son, he was succeeded by his brother, Bahram I (AD 273-276). While his silver coins are scarce, gold issues of Ohrmazd I are exceedingly rare, with four dinars recorded in total, only two of this variety.
The third son of the conquering monarch Šābuhr (Shahpur) I (AD 240-270), Ohrmazd I first comes to historical light as one of his father’s commanders during the Sasanian invasion of the Roman east in AD 253-256. Legend has it he was advanced in the succession due to a prophecy. His name is recorded on an inscription in Persepolis as “Great King of the Armenians,” a title granted to the royal heir much as “Prince of Wales” is used nowadays to designate the heir to the British throne. He was raised to the Persian throne upon the death of his father, either in AD 270 or 272. Very little is known about his brief reign. His coins bear his title “King of Kings of the Iranians” but also add “and non-Iranians,” an innovation carried on by succeeding Sasanian monarchs. His coins also differ from those of his father in that the fire attendants on the reverse are usually shown facing inward toward the altar, as opposed to facing away. Unlike his father’s long and consequential rule, Ohrmazd I’s reign was only about a year, and the cause of his death is unrecorded. Although he is known to have had a son, he was succeeded by his brother, Bahram I (AD 273-276). While his silver coins are scarce, gold issues of Ohrmazd I are exceedingly rare, with four dinars recorded in total, only two of this variety.