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Obol - Wahram II
| Issuer | Sasanian Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 276-293 |
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| Composition | Silver |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A fire altar with suspended ribbons occupies the center of the reverse, flanked by two standing figures — Vahram II on one side and his queen on the other — each turned inward toward the altar in veneration; the queen is shown holding a ring, a standard Sasanian symbol of royal investiture. Stylized symbols appear in the field flanking the flames atop the altar, consistent with Zoroastrian iconographic conventions. The composition follows the canonical Sasanian reverse type established under earlier kings, rendered in the characteristic bold, slightly crude hammered style of the period. An Inscriptional Pahlavi legend is present in the field. |
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| Mintage | ND (276-293) |
| Additional information |
Wahram II's reign was marked by persistent internal conflict, including a prolonged usurpation by his brother Hormizd in the eastern provinces and simultaneous pressure from Rome under Carus, whose campaign of 283 AD briefly seized Ctesiphon itself. The small silver obol denomination saw limited production under the Sasanians generally, making issues attributable to specific short-lived political moments within a reign difficult to sequence with confidence.
The Göbl and Sunrise references place this among the better-documented fractional issues of the dynasty, though die studies suggest output was modest.