SASANIAN KINGDOM. Shapur I the Great (AD 240-272). AV dinar (23mm, 7.27 gm, 3h). AU. Mint II (Merv), Phase II, ca. AD 260-272. Bust of Shapur I right, wearing mural tiara with korymbos and long ear flap, large floriate brooch on left shoulder / Large flaming fire altar flanked by two attendants, both wearing mural crowns and holding scepters. Sunrise 743. SNS type IIc/1a, style uncertain. Göbl type I/1. Strongly struck with bold beaded border. The second Sasanian ruler, Shapur I's long and energetic reign raised Persia to glories it had not known since the heyday of the Achaemenid Kingdom. He captured and sacked Antioch, the third greatest city of the Roman Empire, and then defeated the Roman army and captured the Emperor Valerian alive, the greatest feat of arms yet by a Sasanian monarch. His military exploits enriched the treasury and enabled him to engage in stupendous building projects. A devout Zoroastrian, he was nevertheless tolerant of other faiths and is warmly mentioned as a just king in Jewish writings. Like many Sasanian kings, his silver coinage is vast while gold is rare.

HID09801242017

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