CNG 100, Lot: 188. Estimate $750. Sold for $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS. Pērōz (Fīrūz) I. AD 457/9-484. AV Dinar (36mm, 7.38 g, 12h). Kushano-Sasanian type. Uncertain (Balkh[?]) mint. Struck circa 467/8 or shortly thereafter. Kushano-Sasanian style figure (Vahram) standing left on ground line, wearing lotus crown with ribbons and surmounted by pomegranate with ribbons, flames at shoulders, sacrificing at altar and holding trident; to left, trident standard above altar, middle prong surmounted by crescent; to right, pellet above tamgha / Siva standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing left. Cribb, Kidarites, Group 7B; Vondrovec, p. 152 (Type Peroz) var. (no pellet above tamgha); cf. Alram, Schatzfund, 31 (for type); MK –; cf. FPP, fig. 78, 5 (for type). Near EF, areas of light toning, hairline flan crack. Rare variety.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 53 (15 March 2000), lot 982.

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.