Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 878. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Shahpur II. 309-379 AD. PB Dichalkon(?) (5.68 gm). Uncertain mint (possibly Ktesiphon). Crowned and cuirassed bust right; wreath to right / Fire altar with attendants and ribbon, bust right in flames. Cf. Göbl, Kushan 1230 (Obol); cf. Göbl Ia/6a; Alram -. VF. Unpublished in the standard references. ($200)

From the Bellaria Collection. Ex Schulten (October 1990), lot 1355 (listed as an Æ Tetrachalkon).

H.M. Malek's review of Sasanian numismatic research ("A Survey of Research on Sasanian Numismatics," in NumChron 1993) lists five denominations of lead coins issued by Shahpur II, but none of the standard references generally include them (but cf. Göbl, Kushan 1263). The style of the present coin, particularly the rendering of the wreath on the obverse, is consistent with that of the mint at Ktesiphon.