Drachm of Bahram IV
The coin’s obverse features the bust of the Sasanian king Bahram IV, who wears a crown with a diadem and one pair of wings, a single crenellation, a globe and two fillets. On the reverse, the king is depicted both to the right and the left of a flaming fire altar. Royal central authorities controlled all Sasanian mints and in general, the ruler is depicted on Sasanian coins with his individual crown. Coins for thirty-two Sasanian rulers are known and in addition to their significance for economic history, royal coin portraits enable the identification of depictions of kings on other media, such as stucco and rock reliefs and silver plates.
Artwork Details
- Title: Drachm of Bahram IV
- Period: Sasanian
- Date: ca. 388–99 CE
- Geography: Iran
- Culture: Sasanian
- Medium: Silver
- Dimensions: Thickness 0.15 cm, Diameter 2.45 cm
- Credit Line: Bequest of Joseph H. Durkee, 1898
- Object Number: 99.35.2965
- Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art
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Parthian or Kushan
ca.1st–2nd century CE
Sasanian
ca. 6th–7th century CE
ca. 1st–2nd century CE
Parthian
ca. 78–110 CE
Parthian
ca. 110–129 CE
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