Persian silver coin

The coin has a wide rim and is supposed to be a silver coin from the end of Sasanian Dynasty. On the head side of the coin is the engraving of the emperor’s side profile with the crown, while the tails' side has the engraving of a priest holding poker before a fire altar. Ancient Persia (now Iran) had frequent economic and cultural interactions with the Tang Dynasty, so the silver coin produced in 7^th century Sasanian Dynasty entered China through the Silk Road. The foreign coins in Chang’an had no commercial use and were buried with the dead, instead of being circulated.

Diameter: 2.8cm

Museum collection