Greek Sasanian – Hormizd II (302-309 AD) Drachm
•Diameter: 26mm
•total Weight: 7.95g
•Mint: Merw
• Frame : silver 925 hand crafted, ancient style .
•Certificate of provenance and authenticity included .
•Leather cord included . 
Description
•Obverse: Draped bust of Hormizd II facing right, wearing a diadem, an eagle crown, and a korymbos.
•Reverse: Fire altar with two attendant figures, a bust emerging from the flames, facing right.
Hormizd II (302-309 AD) – The Short-Lived Sasanian King
Hormizd II was the eighth ruler of the Sasanian Empire, ascending the throne after the death of his father, Narseh. His reign (302-309 AD) was relatively short and marked by internal strife and external conflicts, particularly with the Roman Empire and nomadic groups along the empire’s eastern borders.
Unlike his father, who had suffered a major defeat against the Romans, Hormizd II attempted to maintain stability. However, he faced continuous resistance from nobles and aristocratic factions, which weakened his rule. He was ultimately assassinated by the nobility, an event that led to a period of chaos in the Sasanian royal court. His death prevented his son, Hormizd III, from inheriting the throne, as power struggles allowed Shapur II (his unborn son) to be proclaimed king while still in his mother’s womb.
The Drachm of Hormizd II – Symbolism and Design
The silver drachm was the standard currency of the Sasanian Empire, used for trade and military expenses. Hormizd II’s coinage followed the traditional Sasanian iconography while incorporating unique features that emphasized his royal legitimacy and divine authority.
Obverse: The Portrait of Hormizd II
•The king is depicted facing right, wearing a diadem (symbolizing royal authority), an eagle crown, and a korymbos, the globular headpiece that represents divine favor and legitimacy.
•The eagle crown is a rare feature, possibly indicating connections with Ahura Mazda, the chief deity of Zoroastrianism, or suggesting that Hormizd II wanted to highlight his role as a protector of the faith.
Reverse: The Fire Altar with Attendants
•The fire altar was a central religious symbol of Zoroastrianism, the dominant faith of the Sasanian Empire. Fire represented purity and the presence of Ahura Mazda.
•The two attendants flanking the altar were likely priests or royal guards, serving as a connection between the monarchy and the divine realm.
•The bust emerging from the flames (facing right) is believed to be either a representation of Hormizd II’s divine essence or an embodiment of Ahura Mazda’s blessing upon his rule.
Historical Significance of the Coin
Hormizd II’s coins are notable because they were issued during a turbulent time in the Sasanian Empire. His brief and unstable reign meant that fewer coins were struck compared to longer-reigning rulers like Shapur II or Khosrow I. The Merw mint, where this drachm was produced, was a major minting center in the eastern part of the empire, strategically located near important trade routes linking Persia, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
The coin itself is an important historical artifact, reflecting both the political struggles of Hormizd II’s reign and the enduring religious and artistic traditions of the Sasanian dynasty.