coin

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Object Type
Museum number: G1874,0715.487
Denomination: tetradrachm (overstruke on obverse)
Description: Silver coin. (whole); Bearded bust of Vadfradad I facing right, with long moustache. Frataraka wears kyrbasia tied with diadem, chin flap, earflap and earring. 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 horned (or flowering?) battlements. On the left, Vadfradad I 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. A winged figure (possibly representing Ahuramazda or the khvarnah/kingly glory) hovers above the scene, facing the frataraka. Dotted border. (reverse)
Authority
Production date: 3rdC BC (circa)
Production place: Minted in: Persis (historic - region)
Materials
Dimensions: Die-axis: 9 o'clock; Diameter: 29 millimetres; Weight: 16.38 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) (3, p.201); Klose & Müseler 2008 / Statthalter Rebellen Könige - Die Münzen aus Persepolis von Alexander dem Großen zu den Sasaniden (Type 2/17, p.37); Alram 1986 / Iranisches Personennamenbuch: Nomina Propria Iranica in Nummis (Type 533, p.168); Sarkhosh Curtis 2010 / The Frataraka Coins of Persis: Bridging the Gap between Achaemenid and Sasanian Persia (a-b and w, fig.35.3, p.381)
Location: Not on display
Exhibition history: Exhibited: 2021-2022 27 July-21 March, London, BM G69a, Rivalling Rome: Parthian coins and culture (unable to open to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions)
Subjects: ruler; temple; fire altar; zoroastrian divine being
Associated names: Portrait of: Vadfradad I; Named in inscription: Vadfradad I; Representation of: Mozdooano (Winged figure possibly represents instead the khvarnah/kingly glory.)
Acquisition name
Previous owner
Acquisition date: 1874
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: G1874,0715.487
C&M catalogue number: GC28 (BMC Greek (Arabia)) (200) (2)
Conservation

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