Khosrow II, 591-628, Drachm

Khosrow II, drachm, AR, reign 591–628, uncertain mint, 591–628, 3.99g, 32mm. Obverse with crowned bust right, wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, twin wings, and star-in-crescent; ribbons and crescents on the shoulders; stars flanking the crown; double border; four star-in-crescent symbols in the margin. Reverse showing Zoroastrian fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two standing attendants; star and crescent flanking the flames in four positions; triple border; star-in-crescent symbols in the margin. Well-centred for the type with clear presentation of the crown elements and altar group; minor areas of softness consistent with issue. Gobl type II/3.

Khosrow II presided over the last major expansion of the Sasanian Empire and his silver drachms represent the principal monetary medium of late Sasanian Iran, struck in large quantities for state finance and military payments. The iconography reflects official Zoroastrian state religion through the fire altar and attendants, while the standardized bust and margin symbols form part of the highly regulated late Sasanian typology that influenced early Islamic coinage in formerly Sasanian territories.