Numismatic

Sasanian Empire AR Drachm King Khusru II (591-628 AD) Ch AU NGC

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Dating from the years 591 to 628 AD, this silver drachm offers a tangible connection to the ancient Sasanian Empire during the reign of King Khusru II. Struck in silver with a weight of approximately 0.12 ounces and a diameter of about 32 millimeters, this piece displays the intricate artistry and religious iconography of a powerful eastern dynasty. The front of the coin features a right-facing portrait of the Sasanian monarch wearing an elaborate, stylized crown. On the back, the design centers on a traditional Zoroastrian fire altar, which is guarded by two flanking attendants. A star and a crescent moon frame the rising flames at the top of the altar, completing a symbolic scene that defined the spiritual and political authority of the empire. This particular specimen has survived the centuries in remarkable condition, graded as Choice Almost Uncirculated. The preservation of such delicate details on a coin over fourteen hundred years old provides an extraordinary window into the craftsmanship of the ancient world.