Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 682. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $220. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Yazdgard III. 632-651 AD. AR Drachm (4.03 gm). SK (Sakastan) mint. Dated year 18 (649 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. Göbl II/2; Paruck 491 var. (year); Alram 932; MACW 1255 var. (date); De Morgan pg. 733, 233. Good VF, flat strike. ($300)

S. Tyler-Smith's study of Yazdgard's coinage does not cover the emissions from this mint. The die engraving on this particular specimen, especially the head and crown, is such that it almost appears to be a three-quarter facing bust.