Caption

Drachma of Kavadh I (ruler of Persia; reigns 488–496 and 498–531). Obverse: bust of Kavadh I facing right wearing a crown with ribbons, decorated with a crescent and korymbos, a crescent in front, and two stars on either side of the crown; short curly beard, curly hair tied back, earring, beads and long chain around his neck, ribbons flowing from behind his shoulders, crescents on either side of the bust; three crescents with a star in the center and Pahlavi legend along the rim. Reverse: fire altar; to the left the ruler facing forward holding a sword, to the right a priest facing forward holding a sword; star at top left and crescent at top right, signs/monograms on both sides; pearl rim and Pahlavi legend. Sassanid art; Sassanid Kingdom; Iran/Persia. Date: 488–497, 499–531. Coin: diameter 27.5 × 28.0 mm, weight 4.06 g.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A33_318

License type

Rights managed

Available size

72.2Mb (256.0Kb) / 16.7in x 16.7in / 5023 x 5023 (300dpi)

Keywords

Drachma Kavadh I ruler Persia reigns 488–496 498–531 Obverse bust facing right wearing crown ribbons decorated crescent korymbos front two stars side short curly beard curly hair tied back earring beads long chain neck ribbons flowing shoulders crescents three crescents star center Pahlavi legend rim Reverse fire altar left forward holding sword right priest top left top right signs monograms sides pearl rim Sassanid art Sassanid Kingdom Iran Date 488–497 499–531 Coin diameter weight 4.06 g round worn metallic object uneven edge showing raised circular design surface shallow reliefs forming stylized humanlike face wearing surrounded decorative motifs star shapes rendered metallic texture object wear small surface scratches areas slight discoloration darker tarnish predominant pale silvery color background plain white color palette consists silvery gray hints darker gray recessed areas.