Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 623. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $220. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Ardashir II. 379-383 AD. AR Drachm (4.14 gm). Uncertain western mint. "The Mazda worshipper, the divine Ardas-hir, the king of kings" in Pahlavi (crude), crowned and cuirassed bust right / No legend, fire altar with attendants and ribbon. Göbl I/1; Paruck 260 var. (legend); Alram 827; MACW 905; De Morgan pg. 692, 134. Darkly toned, good VF, scratches in obverse field under toning. ($300)

It is interesting that, unlike earlier Sasanian drachms, the legend is broken to account for the space of the bust, rather than running below it in unreadable characters.

Ardashir II’s reign is relatively obscure. He succeeded Shahpur II, but their relationship is uncertain (although they are generally believed to have been brothers). He apparently was a harsh ruler whose actions against the aristocracy prompted his deposition at their hands.