Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 999. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $230. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SASANIAN KINGS of PERSIA. Peroz. 457/9-484 AD. Gilt Æ 19mm (3.41 gm). ShS mint. Draped bust right wearing second crown / Fire altar with attendants and ribbon; Pahlavi 'M' or 'P' on left, mint on right. Göbl type II/3; Alram -; Paruck -. VF, thin flan crack, gilt worn off in spots. One of two specimens known. ($200)

From the Bellaria Collection.

The only other known example of this coin is in a private collection, but is photographed and cataloged (incorrectly as a silver coin) on the internet at: http://www.grifterrec.com/coins/sasania/sas_perI_1.html. Both coins appear to have been gilded. While the poor condition of the other example makes the mint signature appear to read ShY, the mint signature on the present coin clearly displays an Sh followed by two downward-left-curving lines that do not connect, typical of a Pahlavi 'S'. There are apparently no other coins known with this mint signature, but as there is a letter rather than a date on the reverse left side, it is also possible that ShS is not a mint signature at all.