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KUSHANO-SASANIANS. Ohrmazd (Hormizd) II. Circa AD 300-303. AV Dinar (31mm, 7.88 g, 12h). Investiture Issue. Boxlo (Balkh) mint. orhromrzoo oozorko koshoko shohr in Kushano-Bactrian, Ohrmazd standing left on pelleted ground line, wearing winged crown with ribbons and surmounted by pomegranate, flames at shoulders, sacrificing at altar and holding trident; to left, trident standard above altar, middle prong surmounted by crescent; to right of altar, pellet above Kushano-Sasanian x; between legs, pellet above swastika; triple pellets below left arm; to right, tamgha and βοχλo (mint signature) / ‘w’ply [= blundered ‘pzt’] mlk’ ‘whrmzdy in Pahlavi, Ohrmazd, with eagle at feet, standing right, holding smoking censer in right hand and raising left hand in gesture of benediction to Anahita to Anahita enthroned left, holding investiture wreath in raised right hand and scepter in left; pellet in outer margin. E. Errington and V. Sarkhosh Curtis, From Persepolis to the Punjab (London, 2007), fig. 74.15; MK –; ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Zeno –; Goldberg 122, lot 1614. Lightly toned, a hint of die rust, slight double strike and hairline die breaks on reverse. EF. Extremely rare, only the Goldberg specimen in CoinArchives.
From the Archytas Collection.
The ceremony of investiture was a significant moment in the rule of the Sasanian monarch (and, by extension, those who ruled on his behalf), since it bestowed both legal and spiritual legitimacy on his rule. As a part of the process, the various Sasanian kings ordered this event to be proclaimed in rock carvings, such as Bahrām I (AD 273-76) at Bišāpur, and Narseh (AD 292-303) at Naqš-e Rostam. Shāhpur I (240-72) was one of the rare exceptions, since he recorded his investiture both at Naqš-e Rajab and Bišāpur. The ceremony itself was filled with deep religious symbolism: the goddess Anahita, an important divinity in the Iranian pantheon, was closely associated with the ceremony, as was the fire-altar, which was central to Zoroastrianism. As part of the ceremony, the ruler received the diadem, signifying their right to rule, as well as a personalized crown. This crown had a specialized significance: it distinguished the monarch as a unique ruler with the divine blessing for rule.
This investiture ceremony was the same for the Kushanshas (or Kushano-Sasanians), who ruled those parts of the former Kushan Empire now under Sasanian control. Like the Sasanians, each Kushanshah ruler had his own personal crown (see M. Carter. “A Numismatic Reconstruction of Kushano-Sasanian History” in AMNSMN 30 [1985]). It appears that their Sasanian overlords allowed these Kushanshahs to mint coins proclaiming their investiture. To date, most of these issues are silver drachms in public collections, or have very rarely appeared at auction (see Triton XXII, lot 486 for a drachm of Pērōz [Fīrūz]) I Kushanshah and E. Errington and V. Sarkhosh Curtis, From Persepolis to the Punjab [London, 2007], fig. 74.12 for a drachm of Ohrmazd [Hormizd] I). The same is the case with this extremely rare dinar Ohrmazd (Hormizd) II – apart from the example in the BM collection, this coin is only the second to appear in recent auction.
The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Two – Greek Coinage (Part 2) through Roman Provincial Coinage will be held Tuesday afternoon, 11 January 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
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