Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 519. Estimate $12500.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $10000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PERSIS. Shapur. Circa 200-212 AD. Billon Drachm (1.96 gm). "The divine Shapur, King", diademed bust left, wearing Parthian style tiara / "Son of the divine Papak, the King", bust of Papak left, wearing Parthian-style tiara with leaf shaped ornament. Alram 654; Paruck 2; Göbl, Antike Münzen 2106. Toned, good VF, reverse slightly double struck. Extremely rare, possibly the third known. ($12,500) 

Shapur was an older brother of Artaxerxes V of Persis, both sons of Papak. According to al-Tabari, Artaxerxes had taken over by military force some local kingdoms and appointed governors loyal to himself. He then encouraged his father to revolt against another local king. This Papak did successfully and took that crown for himself. Upon Papak's death a short time later, Shapur became king and instructed his brother to come to his court at Stakhr. Artaxerxes delayed in complying so Shapur set out with his army, but was killed, apparently accidentally, by a falling building. Upon learning of Shapur's death, Artaxerxes advanced to Stakhr, where he was acclaimed king by his other brothers, becoming Ardashir I, the founder of the Sasanian Kingdom.