SASANIAN KINGS. Yazdgard III, 632-651. Drachm (Silver, 30 mm, 3.23 g, 2 h), SK (Sistan), probably RY 6 = AD 637. Draped bust of Yazdgard III to right, wearing elaborate and winged mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, YZDKLTY ('Yazdgard' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, countermark of the mythical bird senmurv with star above his head. Rev. Fire altar flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, five-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; in field to left, date; in field to right, SK (name of the mint in Pahlawi). SSCT -. A lightly toned example with a lovely countermark. About very fine.


This countermark with a senmurv (simurgh) - a mythical bird in Persian mythology with the body of a peacock, the head of a dog, and the claws of a lion - usually appears on early Islamic drachms from mints in Khorasan.