Coin, 1/6 unit
Unknown Artist
ca. 224–41 CE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
11/16 in. (1.7 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Coins-Inscribed
Culture & Period
Sasanian · Sasanian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.30.301
Art Historical Context
This petite bronze coin, measuring just 11/16 inch (1.7 cm) in diameter, represents a1/6 fractional unit from the early Sasanian Empire (. 224–41 CE), a powerhouse that stretched across ancient Persia and Mesopotamia. Minted during the reign's formative years—likely under founder Ardashir I—this inscribed metalwork exemplifies the Sasanians' revival of Persian imperial traditions after the Parthian era, blending artistry with economic might. Sasanian coins were more than currency; they served as royal propaganda, often featuring the king's bust on one side and a fire altar symbolizing Zoroast...