Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 681. Estimate $150.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $375. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Yazdgard III. 632-651 AD. AR Drachm (4.01 gm). GLM (uncertain city in Kirman) mint. Dated year 19 (650 AD). "Yazdgard, may (he) strengthen (or prosper)" in Pahlavi, crowned and cuirassed bust (bearded) right, ribbon over right shoulder; crescent and ribbon over left, star behind crown, star-in-crescent before; monogram in left field / Fire altar with attendants and ribbon, star and crescent flanking flames, regnal year to left, mint signature to right; three pellets at top left of outer rim. Cf. Tyler-Smith 65-67 (unlisted dies; pellets in same position on as 65a); Göbl II/2; Paruck -; Alram 932; MACW -; De Morgan pg. 733, 233. Lightly toned, good VF. Rare. ($150)

It is believed that the issues of Yazdgard with pellets in the outer rim were likely struck during the early Arab-Sasanian period (see M.I. Mochiri, "Garmkirman: a Sasanian and early Islamic mint in Kirman Province," NumChron 1985, pp. 109-22).