Sasanian Kings, Hormizd V or VI, Drachm
631-632 - WYHC - Extremely rare - Silver
Crowned bust to right wearing mural crown with frontal crescent, two wings and star in crescent; stars flanking headdress, crescent to right of bust.
Fire altar with ribbons and attendants; star and crescent flanking flames.
This is an extremely rare coin and type, struck by Hormizd VI (or V?) in two mints, WSY and WYHC. This Sassanid king is very obscure; it seems that he reigned in the middle of the 7th century, since the chronology indicates that he succeeded to Khosrau II after his assassination in 628 (he his maybe his grandson?), but he reigned for only 2 or 3 years before being assassinated too. Very few of these extremely rare coins have been seen in sales, all of them with this deformed reverse when they were struck. For similar references: Stephen Album 36, 133 & Göbl type I/1. Heritage Auctions 3073, 04/2019, 30223; Roma Numismatics 27, 03/2023, lot 458; Stephen Album 48, 01/2024, lot 51.
4.11 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
