SASANIAN KINGDOM. Yazdgard III (AD 632-651). AR drachm (31mm, 3.97 gm, 9h). Choice VF. Mint ART (Ardashir-khurrah), Regnal Year 12. Crowned, bearded, bust of Yazdgard right / Fire altar between attendants; star to left and crescent to right of flames. Rare. Göbl II/2. S. Tyler-Smith, ‘Coinage in the name of Yazdgerd III (AD 632-651) and the Arab conquest of Iran', Numismatic Chronicle 2000, no. 128 and 129. Yazdgard came to the throne after four troubled years following the murder of Khusrau II in AD 628. The Arab invasion began in earnest during the reign of Yazdgard III and his coinage reflects this turbulent time. Although he reigned for 20 years, he was in flight from the Arabs for much of that time. Consequently his coinage is much more limited: he uses fewer mints than Khusrau II, and the majority of the coins are struck in the east in Kirman and Sakastan. The sources all agree that he was assassinated in Marv in the 20th year of his reign.

HID99912102018