Caption

drachma, Hormizd IV (ruler of Persia; 579–590), Sassanid silver coin depicting busts, swords, crowns, fire altar, moons; Sassanid art. Obverse: bust of Hormizd IV right, wearing a crown decorated with a diadem; star to right, star in a crescent to left; triangle of three dots above the ear and as an earring; beads on the neck and a central triangle of three dots; pearl rim; symbol of the cosmos above the crown; crescents with stars at bottom and sides; Pahlavi legend. Reverse: fire altar; left a ruler stands facing holding a sword, right a priest stands facing holding a sword; star top left, crescent top right; signs/monograms at sides; pearl rim; Pahlavi legend. Date: 579–590. Place: Persia (Iran). Medium: coin; diameter 31.0 x 33.0 mm; weight 3.95 g.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A38_375

License type

Rights managed

Available size

67.0Mb (13.0Mb) / 16.1in x 16.1in / 4839 x 4839 (300dpi)

Keywords

drachma Hormizd IV ruler Persia 579–590 Sassanid silver coin depicting busts swords crowns fire altar moons Sassanid art Obverse bust Hormizd IV right wearing crown decorated diadem star right crescent left triangle three dots ear earring beads neck central triangle pearl rim symbol cosmos crown crescents stars bottom sides Pahlavi legend Reverse fire altar ruler stands facing holding sword priest stands star top left crescent top right signs monograms Date Place Iran Medium coin diameter weight 3.95 g circular metal object worn textured surface shades gray silver showing embossed central portrait face profile wearing rounded headdress ornate jewelry portrait surrounded decorative raised border zigzag beaded patterns several small floral geometric motifs metal areas darker gray tarnish lighter silver highlights irregular edges small chips appearance aged embossed metallic disc detailed relief work varied gray silver tones.