Coins struck at Istakhr
2 catalogued coins and notes attributed to Istakhr, with weights, legends, dates and Wikimedia-sourced images across Parthian (Arsacid) Empire.
In short
Istakhr, beside the ruins of Persepolis in Fars, was the religious and dynastic cradle of the Sasanians — the home of the fire temple of Anahita whose custodianship gave Ardashir I his legitimacy. Istakhr is a mint of the Iranian world represented in the Persian Treasury catalogue by 2 coins and notes struck between 140 BCE – 220 CE. Its output here covers Silver in the Drachm, Tetradrachm denominations, issued under Darius II of Persis (Darayan), Vahbarz / Vadfradad (Frataraka).
- Catalogued
- 2
- Eras
- 1
- Metals
- 1
- Denominations
- 2
Key facts
| Catalogued pieces | 2 |
|---|---|
| Date range | 140 BCE – 220 CE |
| Eras represented | Parthian (Arsacid) Empire |
| Metals | Silver |
| Denominations | Drachm, Tetradrachm |
| Issuers | Darius II of Persis (Darayan), Vahbarz / Vadfradad (Frataraka) |
| Region | Fars, beside Persepolis |
| Significance | Sasanian dynastic and religious origin |
| Earlier coinage | Frataraka and kings of Persis |
| Iconography | Fire altar and standard reverses |
The Sasanian homeland
Ardashir I's family held the priesthood at Istakhr before they held a throne. The city's coinage under the Frataraka and Persis kings, with fire-altar and standard reverses, is the direct visual ancestor of the Sasanian drachm reverse that would dominate Iranian coinage for four centuries.
Istakhr issues therefore matter beyond their number: they are the evidence for how a local Fars dynasty's religious iconography became an imperial monetary language.
Persis and the fire altar
Coins of Persis run from the third century BCE to the rise of Ardashir, with Aramaic legends naming rulers such as Vahbarz and Darayan, and reverses showing worship before a fire altar or standard.
The series is compact and unusually coherent, which makes it one of the most rewarding small specialisations in Iranian numismatics — a complete typological story in a few dozen types.
Parthian (Arsacid) Empire · 247 BCE – 224 CE
Era overview →Frequently asked about Istakhr
- Why is Istakhr important to Sasanian coinage?
- It was the Sasanian family's home and the seat of the Anahita fire temple they served. The fire-altar reverse of the Sasanian drachm descends from the coinage of Persis struck there.
- What are coins of Persis?
- Silver issues of a local Fars dynasty from the third century BCE onward, with Aramaic legends and fire-altar reverses, ending when Ardashir I founded the Sasanian empire.
- What coins were struck at Istakhr?
- Istakhr is a mint of the Iranian world represented in the Persian Treasury catalogue by 2 coins and notes struck between 140 BCE – 220 CE. Its output here covers Silver in the Drachm, Tetradrachm denominations, issued under Darius II of Persis (Darayan), Vahbarz / Vadfradad (Frataraka).
- How many Istakhr pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
- 2 items, dated 140 BCE – 220 CE, spread across 1 era: Parthian (Arsacid) Empire.
- Which metals were used for Istakhr coinage?
- Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
- Which denominations are associated with Istakhr?
- Drachm, Tetradrachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.