Caption

Drachma of Kavadh I (ruler of Persia; 488–496 and 498–531). Obverse: bust of Kavadh I facing right; he wears 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, an earring in one ear, beads and a long chain around his neck, ribbons flowing from behind his shoulders, crescents on either side of the bust; outside the rim three crescents with a star in the center. Pahlavi legend. Reverse: fire altar; left of the altar the ruler stands facing forward holding a sword, to the right a priest stands facing forward holding a sword; star at top left and crescent at top right; signs/monograms on both sides; pearl rim. Dated to 488–497, 499–531. Persia (Sassanid), Sassanid art; materials/technique: silver coin; diameter 27.5–28.0 mm, weight 4.10 g.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A38_326

License type

Rights managed

Available size

72.2Mb (10.2Mb) / 16.7in x 16.7in / 5023 x 5023 (300dpi)

Keywords

Drachma Kavadh I ruler Persia 488–496 498–531 Obverse bust facing right wears crown ribbons decorated crescent korymbos front two stars side short curly beard curly hair tied back earring ear beads long chain neck ribbons flowing shoulders crescents outside rim three crescents star center Pahlavi legend Reverse fire altar left altar ruler stands forward holding sword priest stands top left top right signs monograms sides pearl rim Dated 488–497 499–531 Sassanid Sassanid art materials technique silver coin diameter 27.5–28.0 mm weight 4.10 g round worn metallic object irregular edge showing raised circular central area containing faint human profile low relief surrounded patterned border several small decorative motifs within oval frames surface scratches dents areas uneven wear visible colors shades gray silver darker gray tones.