Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 589. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $5250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Bahram II. 276-293 AD. AV Dinar (7.37 gm). "The Mazda worshipper, the divine Bahram, [the king of kings of Iran and non-Iran] who is descended from the Gods" in Pahlavi (partially degraded), crowned and cuirassed bust right / "Fire of Bahram" in Pahlavi (partially degraded), fire altar with attendants; three pellets on central column, fravahr symbol (wreath) and taurus symbol flanking flames. Göbl I/1; Paruck 115; Alram 715; MACW -; De Morgan pg. 671, 44 (pl. XLIX, 10--same dies). Good VF. Scarce. Struck from the same reverse die as lot 589, below. [See color enlargement on plate 8] ($4000)

Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 20 (1 December 1981), lot 85.

Although his father’s hold on power ensured his succession, Bahram was almost instantly confronted with internal opposition from his uncle, Narse (see lot 603 for his coins), and brother, Hormizd. he eventually defeated his brother, a governor in the east, but a new threat emerged in the west. Taking advantage of the internal conflicts of the Sasanians, the Roman emperor, Carus, embarked on a major eastern campaign. Like his predecessors, Lucius Verus and Septimius Severus, his armies eventually captured Ktesiphon. Luckily for Bahram, Carus died shortly thereafter, forcing Carus’ son, and co-emperor, Numerian, to order a withdrawal, but not before negotiating a settlement favorable to the Romans. Throughout Bahram’s reign the consolidation of power of the central religion that his father began, continued, but persecutions began to abate.