Persian Treasury
فارسی11 eras
Sasanian Empire
Peroz I Drachm
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.
| Date | 459–484 CE |
|---|---|
| Ruler / issuer | Peroz I |
| Mint | Adurbadagan (Azerbaijan) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight | ~4.1 g |
| Era | Sasanian Empire (224 – 651 CE) |
| Region | Iran, Iraq, Caucasus, Central Asia |
Obverse and reverse
Obverse
Bust with third crown (wings + crescent + globe); legend names Peroz.
Reverse
Fire altar with attendants; mint signature and regnal year — first dated Sasanian drachms.
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.
Read the full Sasanian Empire essay →Frequently asked
- What is the Peroz I Drachm?
- 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. It was struck in 459–484 CE at Adurbadagan (Azerbaijan) under Peroz I.
- What metal and weight is it?
- Silver, weighing approximately ~4.1 g.
- What designs appear on it?
- Obverse: Bust with third crown (wings + crescent + globe); legend names Peroz. Reverse: Fire altar with attendants; mint signature and regnal year — first dated Sasanian drachms.