What metal and weight is the Kavad I Drachm?

Silver, weighing approximately ~4.1 g.

Sasanian Empire

Kavad I Drachm

Kavad's reforms paved the way for Khosrow I. His support for the radical Mazdakite movement marks one of the most dramatic episodes in late antique Iran.

Key specifications for Kavad I Drachm
Date	488–531 CE (two reigns)
Ruler / issuer	Kavad I
Mint	Ahvaz
Metal	Silver
Weight	~4.1 g
Era	Sasanian Empire (224 – 651 CE)
Region	Iran, Iraq, Caucasus, Central Asia

Obverse

Bust with crescent-and-globe crown; Pahlavi legend.

Reverse

Fire altar with attendants, mint and regnal year.

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 Kavad I Drachm?: Kavad's reforms paved the way for Khosrow I. His support for the radical Mazdakite movement marks one of the most dramatic episodes in late antique Iran. It was struck in 488–531 CE (two reigns) at Ahvaz under Kavad I.
What metal and weight is it?: Silver, weighing approximately ~4.1 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Bust with crescent-and-globe crown; Pahlavi legend. Reverse: Fire altar with attendants, mint and regnal year.

Ardashir I Drachm

Ardashir I (founder)

224–242 CE

Founder of the dynasty after defeating Artabanus IV.

Shapur I Drachm

Shapur I

240–272 CE

Defeated three Roman emperors including Valerian (captured 260 CE).

Khosrow I (Anushirvan) Drachm

Khosrow I

531–579 CE

Currency reformer; standardised drachm weight and purity. Massive output.

Khosrow II Drachm

Khosrow II

590–628 CE

Most common Sasanian coin; struck in huge quantities through 38-year reign.

Peroz I Drachm

Peroz I

459–484 CE

Peroz's wars against the Hephthalites bankrupted the empire and he was killed in battle in 484. From his reign onward, mint and year on Sasanian drachms enable precise dating.