Description:  Obverse: Kavad I facing r. on frontal bust, bearded, with hair tied in a bunch over r. shoulder; six-pointed star to l. of crown; crown with two mural elements of three-tiered steps, crescent above forehead, above this covered korymbos resting on crescent, two ribbons commencing to the l. and r. upwards below the korymbos, three vertical lines and three pellets in korymbos; double pearl diadem below mural crown elements; earring consisting of three pellets in triangle formation; neck line of tunic edged with a row of pearls, with large hollow pellet at centre of line; double row of pearls running from both shoulders to breast, two hollow pellets on shoulders, two parallel pellets above a single hollow pellet on breast; crescents upon both shoulders; two ribbons commencing behind the neck, flowing to edge of border then pointing upwards; single ridged border; crescent and star at 90, 180 and 270 degrees.

Reverse: Fire altar, round altar shaft, no internal legend, with two pellets and ribbon on left and three pellets in triangle and ribbon on right, both facing directly down; altar base consisting of three levels, tiered, with two large pellets on the corners of the bottom tier; three altar slabs atop the shaft, tiered, with two large pellets on upper corners of highest tier; flame rendered as four tiers of four, three, two and one pellets respectively; six-pointed star to left of flame, upturned crescent to right of flame; to the left and right of the altar an attendant, right hand raised, body composed of two pellet lines running vertically, ridged border.

Inscriptions:  Obverse: kava (Kavad).

Reverse: year: chahardah (14); mint mark: VH (Veh Artashir).

Bibliography:  SNS 3.2 1b/1a; NMI 471

Notes:  Particularly well struck, bright silver colour.

3 Related People