Persia silver coin

Detail

Sasanian Dynasty (226-651)

Diameter: 2.8cm

Museum collection

        The coin has wider rim, supposed to be silver coin of the end of Sasanian Dynasty. On the top there’s the emperor’s side bust portrait with crown, while on the tail there’s a priest holding pokers before a fire altar. Ancient Persia (now Iran) has frequent economic and cultural communication with Tang Dynasty, so the silver coin produced in 7 century’s Sasanian Dynasty was circulated into China along the Silk Road. The foreign coins in Chang’an were only for enjoying and being buried with the dead, instead of being circulated.