What metal and weight is the Bahram V Gold Dinar?

Gold, weighing approximately ~7.08 g.

Sasanian Empire

Bahram V Gold Dinar

Hero of Persian epic — celebrated in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and Nezami's 'Haft Peykar'. Gold dinars are rare; eastern mints (Sind) supplied trade with India.

Key specifications for Bahram V Gold Dinar
Date	420–438 CE
Ruler / issuer	Bahram V (Bahram Gur)
Mint	Sind
Metal	Gold
Weight	~7.08 g
Era	Sasanian Empire (224 – 651 CE)
Region	Iran, Iraq, Caucasus, Central Asia

Obverse

Crowned bust with crescents and stars; winged crown of Bahram V.

Reverse

Fire altar with two attendants.

Historical context — Sasanian Empire

The Sasanians produced the most artistically consistent and historically informative ancient coinage: thin, broad silver drachms with the king's crown on obverse and a Zoroastrian fire altar on reverse.

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Frequently asked

What is the Bahram V Gold Dinar?: Hero of Persian epic — celebrated in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and Nezami's 'Haft Peykar'. Gold dinars are rare; eastern mints (Sind) supplied trade with India. It was struck in 420–438 CE at Sind under Bahram V (Bahram Gur).
What metal and weight is it?: Gold, weighing approximately ~7.08 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Crowned bust with crescents and stars; winged crown of Bahram V. Reverse: Fire altar with two attendants.

Shapur I Gold Dinar

Shapur I

c. 260–272 CE

Sasanian gold dinars were comparatively rare, used for diplomatic gifts and high-value trade with Rome and India. Shapur I's gold issues celebrate his triumphs over three Roman emperors — most famously the capture of Valerian in 260 CE.

Shapur III Gold Dinar

Shapur III

383–388 CE

Shapur III concluded the long partition of Armenia with Rome (387 CE), dividing it into Persian and Roman spheres. His gold issues are far rarer than the silver and were probably commemorative or diplomatic.