107, Lot: 143. Estimate $400. Sold for $720. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MEDIEVAL. SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Ardashir I. 224-240 AD. AR Hemidrachm (19mm, 1.86 gm, 9h). Mint C ("Ctesiphon"). 3rd phase, circa 230-240 AD. 'The Mazda-worshiper, the divine Ardashir, the king of kings of Iran who is descended from the gods' in Pahlavi, draped bust right, wearing mural crown of Ahura Mazda / 'The fire of Ardashir' in Pahlavi, fire altar without attendants. SNS Type V, A32 = Alram 678 = Lukonin, Iran v epochu pervych Sasanidov, 49 (same obverse die); Göbl -; Paruck -; De Morgan -; MACW -. Near VF, toned, good metal. Extremely rare denomination, one of five known.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 61 (25 September 2002), lot 913.

This coin is from a special issue that commemorates the investiture (or coronation) of Ardashir by Ahura-Mazda. The event was commemorated both in this coin design and in murals carved throughout the empire. This specimen is one of only five hemidrachms of this type known; the others being: the Lukonin specimen, one sold privately by Warden Numismatics, one sold in Peus 368 (lot 371), and the Bellaria Collection piece (Triton VII, 14-15 January 2003, lot 562).