Coins from Persia
Persia is an area in Western Asia and Central Asia, Geologically, it is situated between the Zagros Mountains to the west, the Caspian Sea and the Kopet Dag to the north, the Armenian Highlands and the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest, the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf to the south and the Indus River to the east in Pakistan.

As a historical region, it includes Aria, Baktria, Chorasmia, Gandhara, Margiana, Media, Persis and Sogdiana - even if this is not the strict geological defintion of the Iranian plateau.
Persia
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 50-65 AD in Taxila
Obverse: King on horseback right, letter before; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥ??AV?ΝΔΙΦEΡΟΑΔΕΛΦΙΔΕШC

Reverse: Zeus with scepter right Gadapharabhradaputrasa maharajasa tradatasa Avadagasasa

Diameter: 23.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.08 g
No notes for this coin
Senior 227.18
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 171-160 BC in Baktria
Obverse: Bust right

Reverse: Poseidon

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: -
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 174-165 BCE in Pushkalavati
Obverse: Draped bust of Antimachos I right, wearing kausia

Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ (Poseidon stg. facing, holding trident and palm branch; in lower r. field, monogram.)

Diameter: 32.4 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.98 g
Ex NAC 84/02, lot 1590 (20/05/2015)
Mitchiner 124ff., Bopearachchi série 1A, HGCS 12/106
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Apollodotos_I_(180-160_BCE)_hemiobol_(AE).jpg
An AE Hemiobol struck 180-160 BCE in Taxila?
Obverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ (Apollo standing facing, holding arrow and resting bow on ground)

Reverse: Maharajasa Apaladatasa tratarasa (Tripod), monogram in field

Diameter: 22.3 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 8.4 g
No notes for this coin
Mitchiner 209, HGCS 12/120
(5) Ardakhshir II
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An AR Obol struck 50-1 BC in Persepolis
Obverse: bust left, wearing diadem and Persepolitan crown with stepped battlements

Reverse: king standing left, holding sceptre; lit altar to left

Diameter: 10.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
Persis under Parthians
Alram 577
(6) Azes I
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 58-12 BCE in Taxila
Obverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY (King mounted on horse right, holding whip, Karoshti letter (ka) in field)

Reverse: Maharajasa rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa (Athena standing right, holding shield and spear, making benediction gesture), tamga and monogram in field

Diameter: 24 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 9.81 g
No notes for this coin
HGCS 12/637
(7) Azes I
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An AE unit struck 58-12 BC in Taxila
Obverse: humped bull right; (MP) above; shi under head; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩИ ΜΕΓΛΟΥ / AZOY

Reverse: lion right; monogram above; Maharajasa rajadirajasa mahatasa / Ayasa

Diameter: 24.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 11.32 g
No notes for this coin
MIG 850, Sen 102.100
(8) Azes I
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 58-12 BC in Taxila
Obverse: king on horse rising hand holding whip; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩИ ΜΕΓΛΟΥ / AZOY, san

Reverse: Zeus with rod holding Nike; Maharajasa rajadirajasa mahatasa / Ayasa, monogram / M / dhram

Diameter: 24 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.86 g
No notes for this coin
MIG 854i, Sen 105.340T
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An AR Drachm struck 35 BC - 10 AD in Taxila
Obverse:

Reverse:

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.42 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
(10) Baktria
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 295/3-285/3 BC in Baktria
Obverse: head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and spiral palmette on the bowl wire necklace, round earring; monogram

Reverse: owl standing right, grape bunch over tail; olive sprig and crescent above; AΘE

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17 g
From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.
Roma XIV, 354; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; Mitchiner 13e; N&A 13-15; SNG ANS -; Svoronos pl. 109, 8; Leu 83, 263
(11) Baktria
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An AR Drachm struck 305-294 BC in Baktria
Obverse: head of Athena right wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl

Reverse: eagle standing left, head right, grape cluster on vine with leaf above

Diameter: 13.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.2 g
From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.
Roma XIV, 334; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 2A; SNG ANS 14-16; Mitchiner 26c; N&A 52-57
(12) Baktria
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/1475_Bactria_didrachm.jpg
An AR Didrachm struck 295/3-285/3 BC in Baktria
Obverse: head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and spiral palmette on the bowl wire necklace, round earring monogram

Reverse: owl standing right, grape bunch over tail; prow above AΘE

Diameter: 17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.2 g
From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.
Roma XIV, 331; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; SNG ANS 6; N&A 43-45
(13) Baktria
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 295/3-285/3 BC in Baktria
Obverse: head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and spiral palmette on the bowl wire necklace, round earring

Reverse: owl standing right, olive sprig and crescent above; all within incuse square; AΘE

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17 g
From the 1960s Andragoras-Sophytes Group, present in Germany in 1975, subsequently exported to the USA.
Roma XIV, 345; Bopearachchi, Sophytes Series 1A; Mitchiner 13a; SNG ANS 1
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Eukratides_I_(ca._171-145_BCE)_obol_(AR).jpg
An AR Obol struck 171-145 BCE in Baktria
Obverse: Diademed bust of king right

Reverse: Diademed bust of king right Rev.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ (Two pilei surmounted by stars and two palm branches), monogram in field

Diameter: 11.48 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.64 g
No notes for this coin
HGCS 12/138
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An BL Jital struck 1206 - 1227 AD in Ghazna
Obverse: Defender of the Faith, Commander of the Faithful

Reverse: The Just, Supreme Khan

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.16 g
No notes for this coin
Tye 329
(16) Gondophares | Hermaios
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An AE Tetradrachm struck c. 30-10 BC in Taxila?
Obverse: diademed and draped bust of Hermaios right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / EPMAIOY

Reverse: Zeus seated half left, wearing himation, raised hand, holding scepter; Maharaajasa tratarasa Heramayasa (of Great King Hermaios the Savior)

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.6 g
No notes for this coin
Senior Hermaios 42aT.1, Mitchiner IGIS 421b, Mitchiner ACW 2045, SNG ANS 1430 ff., Bopearachchi series 20, HGC 12 308
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An AR Drachm struck 579-590 AD in Rayy
Obverse: Crowned Bust of Hormizd IV to right

Reverse: Zoroastrian fire altar with two attendants

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.1 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
(18) Huvishka
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An AE Tetradrachm struck 158-195 AD in Gandhara
Obverse: King riding on elephant right, holding trident

Reverse: Deity standing facing, nimbate, offering diadem with right hand, the diadem ends encircling the tamgha at left

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.92 g
Imitation
No references provided for this coin
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Kanishka_I_(ca._127-150_CE)_tetradrachm_(AE).jpg
An AE Tetradrachm struck 127-150 CE in Taxila
Obverse: þAO KANηþK[I] (Crowned, diademed king standing facing, holding spear and sacrificing at altar at left)

Reverse: MAO (Lunar deity Mao standing left, holding sword hilt and holding out hand in blessing, lunar crescents on shoulders), tamga in field

Diameter: 26.1 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.27 g
The chocolate brown patina on this coin is really amazing in hand.
Göbl 774, MAC 3079
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An AE Tetradrachm struck 127-152 AD in Taxila
Obverse: king Kanishka standing left sacrificing over altar, holding scepter; ÞAO KA_NHÞKI

Reverse: god Atar standing left, wreath in right hand; AΘÞO monogram down-left

Diameter: 24.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.3 g
No notes for this coin
Göbl 772, MAC 3082-84
(21) Khosrow I?
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An AR Drachm struck 531-579 AD in Rayy
Obverse: Crowned bust right

Reverse: Fire altar flanked by attendants

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: -
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
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An AR Drachm struck 591-628 AD in Istakhr
Obverse: Crowned bust right.

Reverse: Fire altar and attendants.

Diameter: 34 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 4.04 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
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An AR Drachm struck 590-628 AD in Shiraz
Obverse: Bearded bust right wearing winged crown surmounted by star in crescent

Reverse: Zoroastrian fire altar; on either side of altar, attendant facing

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.02 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
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An AR Drachm struck 165-130 BC in Pushkalavati?
Obverse: helmeted draped bust right; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHΡOΣ / MENANΔΡOΥ

Reverse: Athena Alkidemos left hurling lightning and holding shield; Mahara_ja_sa Tratarasa / Menadrasa, (HΔIM)

Diameter: 15 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.4 g
No notes for this coin
SNG ANS 879 ff., Bopearachchi 16I, Mitchiner IGIS 218c
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An AR Tetradrachm struck 123-88 BC in Media
Obverse: Bare head bust 1., with medium beard, wearing diadem.

Reverse: Archer seated right on omphalos holding bow, palm branch in field to right, TV in exergue.

Diameter: 24.4 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 15.67 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
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An AR Drachm struck 119-109 BC in Ecbatana
Obverse: bearded diademed bust left

Reverse: archer without beard, with cloak and bashlyk seated on throne, holding bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.16 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood 26.1; Shore 77
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An AR Drachm struck 123-88 BC in Media
Obverse: Long-bearded bust left wearing tiara

Reverse: Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; six-line Greek inscription

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.07 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood 29, feine Tönung, kl.Sr., ss
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Orodes_I_(ca._90-80_BCE)_drachm_(AR).jpg
An AR Drachm struck 87-79 BCE in Rhagai
Obverse: Bearded bust left wearing tiara with eight-pointed star, pellet ended torque

Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ (Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand)

Diameter: 21.84 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.17 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood 31.6
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/65_Mithradates_III.jpg
An AR Drachm struck 87-79 BC in Ecbatana
Obverse: bearded bust with tiara

Reverse: archer without beard, with cloak and bashlyk seated on throne, holding bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Δ above foot

Diameter: 19.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.02 g
Selwood's Orodes I
Sellwood 31.5 (Orodes I); Shore 123 (Orodos I); SGCV II 7389 (Orodos I); BMC Parthia p. 42, 4 (Sinatruces); Sunrise 308 var. (legend arrangement)
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An AR Drachm struck 57-38 BC in Ecbatana
Obverse: bearded and diademed bust left, wart on forehead, torque ends in griffin, star left, crescent over star right

Reverse: archer seated on throne right, wearing balshyk and cloak, holding bow, anchor with trident-like end behind; BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN APΣAKOY EYEPΓETOY ΔIKAIOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, (TA)

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4 g
No notes for this coin
Shore 261, Sellwood 48.9, Sunrise 381, SNG Cop 96; BMC Parthia p. 91, 195
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/1711_Orodes_II.jpg
An AR Drachm struck 57-38 BC in Ecbatana
Obverse: bearded and diademed bust left, wart on forehead, torque ends in griffin, star left, crescent over star right

Reverse: archer seated on throne right, wearing balshyk and cloak, holding bow, anchor with trident-like end behind; BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN APΣAKOY EYEPΓETOY ΔIKAIOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ / (TA)

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
No notes for this coin
Shore 261, Sellwood 48.9, Sunrise 381, SNG Cop 96; BMC Parthia p. 91, 195
(32) Pacorus II
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An AR Drachm struck 78-105 AD in Ecbatana
Obverse: draped bust left wearing tiara with short pointed straight beard, ear visible, wearing tiara ornamented with hooks along crest, diadem with five bands, loop behind, three diadem ends, torque without visible end

Reverse: archer without beard, with cloak and bashlyk seated on throne, holding bow; (TAI) ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ // ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ // ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ // ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ / ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ

Diameter: 24 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.2 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood 77.8 (Pakoros II); Sunrise 434; Shore 399 (Pakoros II)
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Shapur_II_(309-379_CE)_drachm_(AR).jpg
An AR Drachm struck 309-379 CE in Mint IX | Kabul
Obverse: Pahlavi legend (Crowned bust right)

Reverse: Fire altar flanked by attendants, bust right in flames

Diameter: 22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.04 g
Ex Prof. dr. Andreas Urs Sommer (Gorny & Mosch 204, 5 March 2012), lot 1647.
SNS III Type Ib1/3a; Göbl Type Ia/6a
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/saphur.jpg
An AR Drachm struck 309-379 AD in Kabul | Mint IX?
Obverse: Crowned bust right of Shapur II

Reverse: Fire altar with two attendants; bust right within flames

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.96 g
No notes for this coin
Göbl 102
(35) Shri Samanta Deva
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An AR Jital struck 950-1000 AD in Gandhara
Obverse: Knight on horse

Reverse: Bull

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.35 g
Hindu Shahi of Kabul and Gandahara Shri Samanta Deva
No references provided for this coin
(36) Sogdiana
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An AR Obol struck c. 300-500 AD in Samarkand
Obverse: head left

Reverse: archer right holding bow and arrow

Diameter: 8.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.5 g
No notes for this coin
Mitch., Central Asia, 16; Mitch., Indo-Greek, 662; Mitch., ATC, 1562
(37) Sri Spalapati Deva
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Sri_Spalapati_Deva.jpg
An AR Jital struck 750-900 AD in Gandhara
Obverse: Nandi bull reclining left, Nagari Sri Spalapati Deva (Honorable Chief Commander) above

Reverse: Horseman prancing right with lance, remnants of cursive Bactrian legend before

Diameter: -
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.41 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin
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An AR Drachm struck 111-146 AD in Ecbatana
Obverse: diademed bust with long beared and earring

Reverse: archer without beard, with cloak and bashlyk seated on throne, holding bow ;ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩN ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Φ_(TA) monogram

Diameter: 16.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.7 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood 78.3; Shore 413-4.
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An AR Drachm struck 105 - 147 BC in Ecbatana
Obverse: Bare-headed bust left with long pointed beard; wearing diadem with loop at the top; s, earring visible. Neck torque contains row of pellets; beaded border.

Reverse: Archer seated right on throne holding bow. Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ or similar, below bow

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.43 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood Type 78 var
/Files/Images/Coinsite/CoinDB/Zoilos_II_(55-35_BCE)_drachm_(AR).jpg
An AR Drachm struck 55-35 BCE in Gandhara
Obverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΖΟΙΛΟΥ (Diademed and draped bust right)

Reverse: Maharajasa tratarasa Jhoilasa (Athena Promachos advancing left, hurling thunderbolt and holding shield), monograms in field

Diameter: 16.5 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 2.28 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin