Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 581. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $9000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Bahram I. 273-276 AD. AV Dinar (7.39 gm). "The Mazda worshipper, the divine Bahram, the king of kings of Iran and non-Iran who is descended from the Gods" in Pahlavi (crude), crowned and cuirassed bust right / "Fire of Bahram" in Pahlavi (crude), fire altar with attendants; taurus symbol to right of flames. Göbl I/1; cf. Paruck 105; Alram 705; MACW -; cf. De Morgan pg. 668, 37. Good VF. Very rare, and unpublished with the taurus symbol. [See color enlargement on plate 8] ($3000)

Bahram I, also a son of Shahpur I, succeeded his brother Hormizd I. He appears to have been more concerned with internal affairs within the Sasanian realm, particularly with strengthening the power of the state religion, Zoroastrianism. Unlike his predecessors, he was intolerant of other religions, and a massive persecution of Manichaens (including the death of their spiritual leader, Mani) and Christians ensued. Little else is known, but that he had disputes with a number of his nobles and his brother, another son of Shahpur I, Narse (for his coins, see lot 603 below). Regardless, Bahram’s hold on power was sufficient to ensure that his son succeeded him upon his death.