TABAISTAN C. 780-793 AD AR HEMIDRACHM Mint
080-00521
The **Silver Hemidrachm of Tabaristan** is a captivating numismatic survivor from a unique "time capsule" of Persian history. Struck in the rugged, mountainous regions along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, these coins represent the final stand of Sasanian-style imagery long after the fall of the Persian Empire. While the rest of the Islamic world had transitioned to purely calligraphic coinage, the semi-autonomous governors of Tabaristan continued to strike silver that maintained the fierce, artistic traditions of the ancient Zoroastrian past.
### Obverse: The Crowned Prince
The obverse features a masterful portrait of a governor in the traditional Sasanian style. The ruler faces right, adorned with an elaborate, **winged crown** topped by a crescent and a globe. These wings represent the Zoroastrian deity of victory, Verethragna. To the right of the portrait, the governor’s name is written in **Pahlavi** (Middle Persian) script, while the margins often feature decorative crescents and stars. This portrait is a direct stylistic descendant of the Great King Khusru II, signaling that despite the changing political landscape, the cultural identity of Northern Iran remained deeply rooted in its imperial heritage.
### Reverse: The Sacred Fire
The reverse features the iconic **Fire Altar**, the spiritual center of the Zoroastrian faith. The altar is flanked by two standing attendants who act as guardians of the eternal flame. To the left and right of the attendants are inscriptions in Pahlavi denoting the **mint of Tabaristan** and the **post-Yazdegerd date**, a specialized dating system used by these independent-minded rulers. The design is framed by triple circular borders, a hallmark of Persian silver meant to prevent "clipping" or shaving off the edges of the precious metal.
### Grade: Mint State (MS)
Finding a Tabaristan Hemidrachm in **NGC MS (Mint State)** condition is a rare opportunity for collectors. Because these coins were "half-drachms," they were small, delicate, and intended for high-frequency trade.
* **Luster:** In MS condition, the coin retains its original "as-struck" brilliance, with a shimmering silver surface that has never been dulled by circulation.
* **Sharpness:** Every detail—from the individual pearls in the borders to the delicate flames atop the altar—is crisp and in high relief.
This coin is a bridge between the ancient and medieval worlds. It is not merely silver; it is a testament to the resilience of Persian culture during a century of monumental transition, preserved in the exact state it left the mint over 1,200 years ago.
### Obverse: The Crowned Prince
The obverse features a masterful portrait of a governor in the traditional Sasanian style. The ruler faces right, adorned with an elaborate, **winged crown** topped by a crescent and a globe. These wings represent the Zoroastrian deity of victory, Verethragna. To the right of the portrait, the governor’s name is written in **Pahlavi** (Middle Persian) script, while the margins often feature decorative crescents and stars. This portrait is a direct stylistic descendant of the Great King Khusru II, signaling that despite the changing political landscape, the cultural identity of Northern Iran remained deeply rooted in its imperial heritage.
### Reverse: The Sacred Fire
The reverse features the iconic **Fire Altar**, the spiritual center of the Zoroastrian faith. The altar is flanked by two standing attendants who act as guardians of the eternal flame. To the left and right of the attendants are inscriptions in Pahlavi denoting the **mint of Tabaristan** and the **post-Yazdegerd date**, a specialized dating system used by these independent-minded rulers. The design is framed by triple circular borders, a hallmark of Persian silver meant to prevent "clipping" or shaving off the edges of the precious metal.
### Grade: Mint State (MS)
Finding a Tabaristan Hemidrachm in **NGC MS (Mint State)** condition is a rare opportunity for collectors. Because these coins were "half-drachms," they were small, delicate, and intended for high-frequency trade.
* **Luster:** In MS condition, the coin retains its original "as-struck" brilliance, with a shimmering silver surface that has never been dulled by circulation.
* **Sharpness:** Every detail—from the individual pearls in the borders to the delicate flames atop the altar—is crisp and in high relief.
This coin is a bridge between the ancient and medieval worlds. It is not merely silver; it is a testament to the resilience of Persian culture during a century of monumental transition, preserved in the exact state it left the mint over 1,200 years ago.
| Additional Information | |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY | TABAISTAN |
| DENOMINATION | AR HEMIDRACHM |
| EdgeItemKey | 001-080-00521 |
| GRADE | MS 60 |
| Inventory Type | Memo |
| stone info | [] |
| Vendor Style Code | TABARISTAN |
| YEAR | C. 780-793 AD |
