Description
Why add this Silver Hemidrachm from the ancient Kingdom of Tabaristan to your collection?
The Silk Road was a 7,000 mile network of trade routes used by merchants to transport a wide variety of luxury goods between China, the West, Africa and the Middle East. The Kingdom of Tabaristan, established along the Caspian Sea’s southern shore (currently Northern Iran), was one of the last areas of Persia to fall to Muslim conquest, but remained mostly independent. Coinage design continued to be inspired by coins from the preceding Sassanian Empire. This Silver Hemidrachm was struck in the name of Tabaristan Governor Sa’id, A.D. 776-779.
Sassanian Empire design
The reverse depicts a Sassanian style fire altar with two attendants, symbolizing the use of fire and ash in ritual purification ceremonies.
The obverse features the right facing portrait of Governor Sa’id, wearing a winged crown in the style of the Sassanian King Khusru II.
Beautiful Mint State Ancient Coin
This gorgeous ancient Silver Hemidrachm of Sa’id is authenticated as part of the Silk Road Hoard, and graded Mint State, by the ancient coin grading division of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). Having a Sheldon Scale equivalent of 60-62, this coin will have a few marks or abrasions, but remarkably little sign of wear overall. The coin is presented in a NGC protective holder and story vault, including a colorful information card containing facts about the coin’s origin and journey along the famed Silk Road.
