Sasanian coinage

Sasanian coinage

Gold double dēnār of Ardashir I (r. 224–242), struck at the Ctesiphon mint. Obv: Crowned bust of Ardashir I wearing diadem and headdress with korymbos and Middle Persian (Pahlavi) text (mzdysn bgy ’rthštr MRK’n MRK’ ’yr’n MNW ctry MN yzd’). Rev: NWR’ ZY in Middle Persian i.e. Pahlavi to the left of the fire altar, and ’rthštr to the right of the fire altar

Sasanian coinage was produced within the domains of the Iranian Sasanian Empire (224–651). Together with the Roman Empire, the Sasanian Empire was the most important money-issuing polity in Late Antiquity.^[1] Sasanian coinage had a significant influence on coinage of other polities.^[2][1] Sasanian coins are a pivotal primary source for the study of the Sasanian period, and of major importance in history and art history in general.^[2][3] The Sylloge nummorum Sasanidarum is the most important primary work of reference for Sasanian coins.^[2]