Shapur I's reign saw the Sasanian Empire reach its greatest early territorial extent — he defeated three Roman emperors in succession, capturing Valerian at the Battle of Edessa in 260 AD, an event he had carved into rock faces at Naqsh-e Rostam. The obol denomination sat at the fractional edge of Sasanian silver coinage, struck in quantities that suggest regional administrative use rather than empire-wide circulation.
Shapur I's reign saw the Sasanian Empire reach its greatest early territorial extent — he defeated three Roman emperors in succession, capturing Valerian at the Battle of Edessa in 260 AD, an event he had carved into rock faces at Naqsh-e Rostam. The obol denomination sat at the fractional edge of Sasanian silver coinage, struck in quantities that suggest regional administrative use rather than empire-wide circulation.