Triton XIV, Lot: 541. Estimate $2500. Sold for $11000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS. Bōrān. AD 630-631. AR Drachm (32mm, 3.88 g, 3h). WYHC (Weh-az-Amid-Kavad) mint. Dated RY 1 (AD 630). Bust right, wearing crown with two wings and korymbos set on crescent; ribbon on left shoulder, crescent and ribbon on right; monogram to left, star and star-in-crescent flanking crown; star-in-crescents in margin / Fire altar with ribbons; flanked by two attendants; star and crescent flanking flames, “’ywky” on left, “wyhc” on right; triple border, star-in-crescents in margin. Malek & Curtis 144-161; Göbl type I/1; Mochiri 440-441, 703 corr. (mint); Paruck 475 corr. (mint); Saeedi -. EF, toned. Rare.

From the William B. Warden, Jr. Collection.

Because of the loss of his power and prestige due to the victories of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in AD 628, Husrav (Khosrau) II (and eighteen of his sons) was assassinated by his son and successor, Kavad (Kvadh) II. Over the next few months, Kavad attempted to initiate peace negotiations with the Byzantine emperor, but the Sasanian king’s death only a few months into the new reign precipitated a period of civil war. Kavad’s son and co-ruler, the seven-year-old Ardaxšīr (Ardashir) III, was killed by the Husrav’s former general, Shahrbaraz, but he too was soon removed. This vacancy on the throne was filled by two daughters of Husrav II, each of whom ruled for about a year, whether on their own, or as possible regents for Husrav (Khosrau) III The first, Boran, attempted to restore stability to the Sasanian empire by making peace with the Byzantines, reducing taxation, and revitalizing the governmental infrastructure, including restoring a general sense of justice. All of these moves did little to restrore the power of the central government. Her sister and successor, Āzarmīg-duxt (Āzarmīdokht), reigned for only a few months. According to the ninth-century Persian historian, al-Tabari, the general Farrokh sought her hand in marriage (and, thus, a link to the throne), but she had him murdered. In retaliation, Farrokh’s son, thought to be Rostam Farrokhzad, had her blinded and subsequently killed after she was captured at Ctesiphon.