Sasanian Drachm (likely Khosrow II or similar)

Sasanian Empire (Ancient Persia) · 590-628 AD (Typical for Khosrow II series)

An ancient Sasanian silver drachm featuring a stylized royal bust on the obverse and a Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by attendants on the reverse, struck on a broad, thin flan typical of the period.

Country: Sasanian Empire (Ancient Persia)
Year: 590-628 AD (Typical for Khosrow II series)
Denomination: Drachm
Metal: Silver (approx. 89-95% fine silver)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified October 26, 2026More sasanian empire (ancient persia) coins →

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Overview

An ancient Sasanian silver drachm featuring a stylized royal bust on the obverse and a Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by attendants on the reverse, struck on a broad, thin flan typical of the period.

Historical significance

Struck during the late Sasanian Empire, a period of intense conflict with the Byzantine Empire, these coins circulated widely throughout the Near East and heavily influenced early Islamic coinage (Arab-Sasanian dirhams).

Obverse (front)

Right-facing bust of the Sasanian king wearing an elaborate crown with wings and a globe, surrounded by a single or double marginal border with crescent-and-star motifs.

Reverse (back)

Zoroastrian fire altar (Atashdan) with flames, flanked by two standing royal attendants or priests holding barsom rods, with a crescent and star flanking the flames.

Estimated value

$40-$150 depending on condition, specific mint, and regnal year clarity.

What drives this coin's value

Centering of the strike, legibility of the regnal year and mint signature, overall preservation of design details, and surface toning.

Grade assessment

Fine to Very Fine (VF) with clear central details and some wear on peripheral legends.

Mintage & rarity

Common to Scarce depending on the specific mint and regnal year, though millions were originally minted.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for cast counterfeits (look for porosity or seam lines, which should not exist on genuine struck coins), test specific gravity if necessary, and compare style to known authentic dies.

Notable varieties & errors

Variations in the king's crown ornaments, regnal year dates, and various regional mint signatures across the Sasanian territories.

Similar coins

Early Islamic Arab-Sasanian silver dirhams and similar drachms of earlier Sasanian shahs such as Peroz or Kavad I.

Care & preservation

Store in a stable, low-humidity environment using inert materials like PVC-free flips or capsules. Never clean, wash, or polish ancient silver as it destroys original surfaces and reduces value.