Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Shapur III

1 catalogued issue of Shapur III — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Shapur III (383–388 CE) reigned briefly and negotiated the partition of Armenia with Rome — a settlement that ended a century of intermittent war over the Caucasus. Shapur III issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 383 CE – 388 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Shapur III in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range383 CE – 388 CE
Eras representedSasanian Empire
MetalsGold
DenominationsDinar
Reign383–388 CE
TreatyPartition of Armenia, 387 CE
DeathKilled by nobles, 388 CE
MonumentInscription at Taq-e Bostan

The Armenian partition

In 387 CE Persia and Rome divided Armenia between them, with the larger eastern share under Sasanian control. It was a durable arrangement, and it removed the standing casus belli between the two empires for decades.

Shapur III was killed in 388, reportedly by nobles — a reminder that Sasanian kings faced more danger from their own aristocracy than from Rome.

Coinage

His drachms follow the fourth-century pattern with a distinctive crown, and mint output is modest given the short reign.

The Taq-e Bostan reliefs include an inscription of Shapur III, tying the coinage to a securely dated monument — useful for anyone learning to read Pahlavi royal titulature.

Sasanian Empire · 224 – 651 CE

Era overview →

Shapur III Gold Dinar

Shapur III

383–388 CE

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.

Frequently asked about Shapur III

What was the 387 partition of Armenia?
A Roman–Sasanian agreement dividing Armenia between the two empires, with the larger eastern portion under Persian control; it kept the peace for decades.
Are Shapur III coins scarce?
Relatively — a five-year reign limited output compared with long-reigning kings such as Shapur II or Khosrow II.
What coins did Shapur III issue?
Shapur III issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 383 CE – 388 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold.
How many Shapur III pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 383 CE – 388 CE, spread across 1 era: Sasanian Empire.
Which metals were used for Shapur III coinage?
Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Shapur III?
Dinar. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here