coin

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Object Type
Museum number: 1915,0108.15
Denomination: drachm
Description: Silver coin. (whole); Long-bearded bust of Vadfradad III facing right, with long moustache. King wears diadem, torque, earring and pleated tunic with decorative seams. A crescent moon rests on top of the king's bust. (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 III faces right toward altar wearing kyrbasia and kandys with one arm raised. On the right, an eagle perches on top of a podium. A winged figure (possibly representing Ahuramazda or the khvarnah/kingly glory) hovers above the scene, facing the king. (reverse)
Authority
Cultures/periods
Production date: 1stC BC (circa)
Production place: Minted in: Persis (region - archaic)
Materials
Dimensions: Die-axis: 7 o'clock; Diameter: 19 millimetres; Weight: 4.10 grammes
$Inscriptions
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) (9, p.213); Klose & Müseler 2008 / Statthalter Rebellen Könige - Die Münzen aus Persepolis von Alexander dem Großen zu den Sasaniden (Type 4/1, p.56); Alram 1986 / Iranisches Personennamenbuch: Nomina Propria Iranica in Nummis (Type 561, p.172)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: king/queen; temple; fire altar; zoroastrian divine being; bird; moon
Associated names: Portrait of: Vadfradad III; Named in inscription: Vadfradad III; Representation of: Mozdooano (Winged figure possibly represents instead the khvarnah/kingly glory.)
Acquisition name
Previous owner
Acquisition date: 1915
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: 1915,0108.15
C&M catalogue number: GC28 (BMC Greek (Arabia)) (213) (9)

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