2020-12-04 Fri

Shapur I or Shapur the Great, was the ruler of the Kushan-Sasanian kingdom, he is also known as Shapur the great. He was the second Sasanian King of Kings of Iran. It is believed that Shapur I ruled between 240 CE and 270 CE, with his father Ardashir I as co-regent until the death of the latter in 242 CE.

Shapur I was the first Iranian monarch to use the title of ‘King of Kings of Iranians and non-Iranians’; before he hands, the royal titulary had been ‘King of Kings of Iranians’. He had adopted the title due to the influx of Roman citizens whom he had deported during his campaigns.

This copper Drachm that weighs around 4.03g was issued by king Shapur I during his rule. The obverse of this coin depicts ‘Sasanian style bust wearing a turreted crown with the legend in cursive Greek ShABORO to right’. The reverse of this coin depicts ‘fire-altar with flames emanating above’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction