SASANIAN KINGS. Šābuhr (Shahpur) I. AD 240-272. AV Dinar (21.5mm, 7.35 g, 3h). Mint I (“Ctesiphon”). Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 574. Estimated: $ 3 000

Central Asian, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 4 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SASANIAN KINGS. Šābuhr (Shahpur) I. AD 240-272. AV Dinar (21.5mm, 7.35 g, 3h). Mint I (“Ctesiphon”). Phase 2, circa AD 260-272. Bust right, wearing diadem and mural crown with korymbos; pellet above between merlon and korymbos / šhp hwr in Pahlavi to right, nwr šhp in Pahlavi to left, fire altar; flanked by two attendants wearing mural crowns; taurus symbol on altar shaft. Cf. SNS type IIc/1b, style A, group h and pl. 23, 33 (for obv.) and pl. 23, A18 (for rev.); Saeedi –, but cf. AV9; Sunrise –. Lightly toned, traces of deposits. Near EF. Rare with this reverse legend.

The Sasanian Empire reached its greatest size under Šābuhr (Shahpur) I, who is perhaps most famous for defeating two Roman emperors, Philip I and Valerian, actually capturing the latter. The newfound wealth of the Sasanians was reflected in an extraordinary mintage of gold dinars, likely utilizing gold plundered from Roman cities and collected as tribute or ransom. The reverse type, which is the standard type on all Sasanian coins, served a dual purpose. It made clear the paramount place of religion in the new empire, and served as a direct link to the ancient Persian religion, as the altar was modeled after the great altar in the ancient Persian palace at Persepolis.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Two – Lot 319-587 will be held Monday afternoon, 18 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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