Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 647. Estimate $150.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Balash. 484-488 AD. AR Drachm (4.08 gm). AY (Susa?) mint. "The good king Bala[sh]" in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust right, ribbon rising from right shoulder, flame on left / Degraded Pahlavi legend to left, mint signature to right, bust of Balash in front of fire altar with attendants and ribbon; star and crescent flanking flames. Göbl I/1; Paruck 359; Alram 888; MACW 1003 corr.; De Morgan pg. 707, 177 (Vologésès). Lightly toned, good VF. ($150)

Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 22 (25 May 1982), lot 219.

See Malek, "A Survey of Research on Sasanian Numismatics," in NumChron 1993, pg. 240, for the reattribution of this mintmark from AB to AY.

Balash was chosen by the aristocracy to be king after his brother Peroz was killed in battle against the Hephthalites. He is notable for his diplomacy; he secured the northeastern border by a large tribute payment to the Hephthalites, and pacified tumultuous Armenia by allowing Christians to practice openly and outlawed the practice of Zoroastrianism there. These moves may have been too much for the nobility, as they deposed him after only four years of rule.