What metal and weight is the Shapur III Gold Dinar?

Gold, weighing approximately ~7.4 g.

Sasanian Empire

Shapur III Gold Dinar

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.

Key specifications for Shapur III Gold Dinar
Date	383–388 CE
Ruler / issuer	Shapur III
Metal	Gold
Weight	~7.4 g
Era	Sasanian Empire (224 – 651 CE)
Region	Iran, Iraq, Caucasus, Central Asia

Obverse

Crowned bust right with distinctive cap-and-globe crown; Pahlavi legend.

Reverse

Fire altar with attendants; mint signature.

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 Shapur III Gold Dinar?: 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. It was struck in 383–388 CE under Shapur III.
What metal and weight is it?: Gold, weighing approximately ~7.4 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Crowned bust right with distinctive cap-and-globe crown; Pahlavi legend. Reverse: Fire altar with attendants; mint signature.

Bahram V Gold Dinar

Bahram V (Bahram Gur)

420–438 CE

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.

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.