coin

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Object Type
Museum number: 1872,0709.353
Denomination: tetradrachm
Description: Silver coin. (whole); Bearded bust of Vadfradad II facing right, with long moustache. King wears kyrbasia tied with diadem, and earring. An eagle with wings outstretched perches on the king's kyrbasia. Dotted border. (obverse); Fire-temple with double panelled doors. The temple is set on a podium, framed by pilasters and an architrave, and topped with three-stepped battlements. On the left, Vadfradad II faces right toward altar wearing kyrbasia and kandys, with one arm raised and the other supporting a bow. On the right, a tassled standard is placed with an eagle perched on top. A winged figure (possibly representing Ahuramazda or the khvarnah/kingly glory) hovers above the scene, facing the king. (reverse)
Authority
Cultures/periods
Production date: 2ndC BC (circa)
Production place: Minted in: Persis (historic - region)
Materials
Dimensions: Die-axis: 3 o'clock; Diameter: 25 millimetres; Weight: 16.46 grammes
Bibliographic references: BMC Greek (Arabia) / Catalogue of the Greek coins of Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia (Nabataea, Arabia Provincia, S Arabia, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Assyria, Persia, Alexandrine Empire of the East, Persis, Elymais, Characene) (1, p.204); Klose & Müseler 2008 / Statthalter Rebellen Könige - Die Münzen aus Persepolis von Alexander dem Großen zu den Sasaniden (Type 3/1, p.44); Alram 1986 / Iranisches Personennamenbuch: Nomina Propria Iranica in Nummis (Type 546, p.170)
Location: Not on display
Exhibition history: Exhibited: 2013-2014, 20 Dec - 25 Feb, Mumbai, India, CSMVS, The Cyrus Cylinder and Persia: A New Beginning
Subjects: king/queen; temple; fire altar; zoroastrian divine being; bird
Associated names: Portrait of: Vadfradad II; Representation of: Mozdooano (Winged figure possibly represents instead the khvarnah/kingly glory.)
Acquisition name
Previous owner
Acquisition date: 1872
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: 1872,0709.353
C&M catalogue number: GC28 (BMC Greek (Arabia)) (254) (1)
Conservation

Free entry

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