How do you identify a coin of Shapur I?

By the crown: a crenellated mural crown topped by a korymbos, with a Pahlavi legend and a fire altar with two attendants on the reverse of a broad silver drachm of about 4.2 g.

What is Shapur I best known for?

Defeating three Roman emperors and capturing Valerian in 260 CE, commemorated in the rock reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam and Bishapur.

How many Shapur I pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?

2 items, dated 240 CE – 272 CE, spread across 1 era: Sasanian Empire.

Which metals were used for Shapur I coinage?

Silver, Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.

Which denominations are associated with Shapur I?

Drachm, Dinar. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.

Persian Treasury

فارسی Español11 eras

Ruler

Coinage of Shapur I

2 catalogued issues of Shapur I — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Shapur I (r. 240–270 CE) was the second Sasanian king of kings, the ruler who captured the Roman emperor Valerian and whose broad silver drachms with a crenellated crown are among the most recognisable coins of late antiquity. Shapur I issued 2 catalogued coin types dated 240 CE – 272 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver, Gold.

Catalogued: 2
Eras: 1
Metals: 2
Denominations: 2

Key facts

Key facts about Shapur I in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces	2
Date range	240 CE – 272 CE
Eras represented	Sasanian Empire
Metals	Silver, Gold
Denominations	Drachm, Dinar
Reign	240–270 CE
Dynasty	Sasanian
Standard coin	Silver drachm, ~4.2 g
Crown type	Mural crown with korymbos

Who was Shapur I?

Son of Ardashir I, Shapur consolidated the new Sasanian empire and fought three campaigns against Rome, defeating Gordian III, extracting tribute from Philip the Arab, and taking Valerian prisoner at Edessa in 260. He recorded the victories in the trilingual inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam and in the rock reliefs at Bishapur.

His coinage

The standard issue is a silver drachm of about 4.2 g on a broad thin flan. The obverse shows the king right, wearing a mural (crenellated) crown surmounted by a korymbos — the cloth-covered ball of hair that is the single fastest identifier of the reign. The reverse shows a fire altar flanked by two attendants.

Legends are in Middle Persian (Pahlavi) and name him as 'the Mazda-worshipping divine Shapur, king of kings of Iran and non-Iran'. Gold dinars are rare; base-metal issues circulated regionally.

Identification tips

Compare the crown first: Ardashir I wears a cap with korymbos but no crenellations; Shapur I adds the mural crown; later kings each adopt distinct crown types, which is how the series is attributed even when the legend is worn. Mint signatures are usually absent or minimal in the early Sasanian period, unlike the sixth-century issues.

Sasanian Empire · 224 – 651 CE

Era overview →

Shapur I Drachm

Shapur I

240–272 CE

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

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.

Frequently asked about Shapur I

How do you identify a coin of Shapur I?: By the crown: a crenellated mural crown topped by a korymbos, with a Pahlavi legend and a fire altar with two attendants on the reverse of a broad silver drachm of about 4.2 g.
What is Shapur I best known for?: Defeating three Roman emperors and capturing Valerian in 260 CE, commemorated in the rock reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam and Bishapur.
What coins did Shapur I issue?: Shapur I issued 2 catalogued coin types dated 240 CE – 272 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver, Gold.
How many Shapur I pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?: 2 items, dated 240 CE – 272 CE, spread across 1 era: Sasanian Empire.
Which metals were used for Shapur I coinage?: Silver, Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Shapur I?: Drachm, Dinar. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.