SASANIAN KINGS. Khosrau II, 591-628. Drachm (Silver, 33 mm, 3.95 g, 4 h), DA (Darabjird), RY 36 = AD 625/6. Draped bust of Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, HWSRWD ('Khosrau' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, countermark of the mythical creature Senmurv (Göbl type 3). Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, date; to right, DA (name of the mint in Pahlawi). SSCT 2497. Rare with this interesting countermark. Good 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 - appears on drachms from mints in Khorasan in circa AH 40-60. It was usually applied to Arab-Sasanian drachms, whereas countermarked Sasanian coins are much rarer