Sasanian coinage

[2] The main denomination of the Sasanians, introduced by King Ardashir I (r. 224–242) and inherited from the Parthians, was the silver drachm (Middle Persian: drahm).

However, the tetradrachm already fell into disfavor in the early Sasanian period, during the reign of Bahram I (271-74), as it was mostly made out of copper with only a tiny bit of silver.

[4] Obols and hemiobols were used for a longer period, but they were only sporadically used for special occasions (e.g. investiture gifts, throwing in crowds).

[4] Production of the hemidrachms and tetradrachms eventually ceased under Bahram II (r. 274-93), but the Iranian variant of the obol, the dang (a Middle Persian word), was minted until the end of Kavad I's reign in the early 6th century.

[2] Gold dinars (Middle Persian: dēnār, ultimately from Latin denarius aureus) were also introduced by Ardashir I, the first Sasanian ruler.

[4] Therefore, according to Philippe Gignoux and Michael Bates, Shapur II (r. 309–379) and Peroz I (r. 459–484) "must have" increased coin production during their reigns, as they conducted numerous campaigns.

Exceptions are in cases of an initial co-regency (e.g. Ardashir I and Shapur I) and in the late Sasanian period when crowns become very stylized and often similar.

If a king suffered a serious defeat, he might adopt a new crown (e.g. Narseh).The Sasanian coinage of Sindh refers to a series of Sasanian-style issues, minted from 325 to 480 CE minted in Sindh, in the southern part of modern Pakistan, with the coin type of successive Sasanian Empire rulers, from Shapur II to Peroz I.

However, so-called Kartvelo-Sasanian coins were produced locally in Kartli during the later period of Sasanid suzerainty and rule over central-eastern Georgia (Iberia of the classical authors), that is, in the late 6th and first half of the 7th century.

The earliest Kartvelo-Sasanian coins, as part of the first phase, were inscribed JO, which according to Stephen H. Rapp Jr translates as “O, Cross”.

Once the Principality of Iberia was firmly established, the inscriptions, in this second phase, shifted to monograms which mentioned the name of the presiding princes.

In this third and final phase of Kartvelo-Sasanian coins a small cross can be distinguished as a replacement for the sacred Zoroastrian flame atop the fire altar.

A standard Sasanian silver coin, a drachm of Shapur I with the crowned and richly adorned head of the king on the obverse, and the fire altar with its two attendants on the reverse. It was minted in Ctesiphon c.240-244. 28 mm, 4.35 gr.
Silver drahm of Bahram II ( r. 274–293). Obv : Crowned bust of Bahram II and his Queen Shapurdukhtak , facing right; a little figure, possibly their son (later known regnally as Bahram III ), who wears a bonnet with an eagle's head, faces left, offering them a wreath. Rev : Fire altar with attendants; Faravahar to left of flames, taurus symbol to right
Gold dēnār of Khosrow II ( r. 591–628), uncertain mint, dated 611. Obv : Crowned bust of Khosrow II and Middle Persian (Pahlavi) text ( GDH ’pzwt’ and hwslwd mlk’n mlk’ ). Rev : Facing bust of Anahita with flame nimbus and Middle Persian i.e. Pahlavi text ( y’cwysty and ’yl’n ’pzwt hwytk’
Gold coins of Sasanian Empire ruler Shapur III (r. 383-388), minted in Sindh , modern Pakistan . Obverse: Portrait of Shapur III, Brahmi script character Śrī ("Lord") in front of the King. Degraded Pahlavi legend around. Reverse : Fire altar with attendants. [ 7 ] [ 8 ]