Peroz Defeats the Kidarites

CNG 100, Lot: 187. Estimate $1500. Sold for $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS. Pērōz (Fīrūz) I. AD 457/9-484. AV Dinar (36mm, 7.43 g, 12h). Kushano-Sasanian type. Uncertain (Balkh[?]) mint. Struck circa 467/8 or shortly thereafter. Kushano-Sasanian style figure standing left on ground line, wearing second crown of Peroz, flames at shoulders, holding trident in each hand; Hunnic tamgha to left; to right of trident, annulet above pellet with tail (trace of altar and smoke [?]); pellet between legs; to right, abstract βοχλο in Bactrian above pellet and tamgha / Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing left. Cribb, Kidarites, Group 7A; Vondrovec, p. 152 (Type Peroz); Alram, Schatzfund, 31; Göbl, Dokumente –; MK –; FPP, fig. 78, 5. EF, areas of light toning. Very rare.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 53 (15 March 2000), lot 980.

This exceptional Kushano-Sasanian styled type only recently came to light, and was first published by Errington & Curtis in FPP. The discovery of this issue, clearly in the name and wearing the crown of the Sasanian king Peroz, confirmed Priscus’ account that Peroz had defeated the Kidarites after a long war (Priscus, fr. 41; see also FPP p. 86). This issue marked the end of Kidarite rule in Baktria.