Sasanian coins

European Museums, The British Museum

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Sasanian coins

Coins of Ardashir I (224 - 241 A.D.) show the king on the front and a throne and fire altar on the back. Fire was the symbol of the Zoroastrian religion. A fire was lit at each coronation and kept burning through the reign. Coins in the name of Piruz I Kushanshah (245 -270 A.D.), who ruled to the east of the Sasanian empire, show the king in front of a fire altar. Zoroastrianism became the state religion of Iran under Shapur II (309 - 379 A.D.).

Religious symbols, such as wings, eagles, sun and moon crescent, and a globe show that the king was victorious and enjoyed divine protection. The winged crown worn by Khusrow II (591 - 628 A.D.), Queen Boran (630 - 631 A.D.) and Yazdgird III (632 - 651 A.D.) continue on the first Islamic coins. These also show the Zoroastrian fire altar on the back. The phrase bism'illah rabi, 'in the name of Allah, my Lord', appears on the edge. The Sasanian star and crescent became an important Islamic symbol.

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Sasanian coins

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Source:  London, United Kingdom