SASANIAN KINGS. Ardashir I, 223/4-240. Hemidrachm (Silver, 19 mm, 1.88 g, 9 h). Draped bust of Ardashir I to right, wearing diadem; hair gathered into a large ball at the top; around, ‘mzdysn bgy ʾrthštr MRKAn MRKA ʾyrʾn MNW ctry MN yzdʾn’, i.e. ‘mazdēsn bay Ardaxšēr šāhān šāh Ērān kē čihr az yaz(a)dān’ (‘The Mazda-worshipping Lord Ardashir, King of Kings of the Iranians, whose essence is from the gods’ in Pahlavi). Rev. Fire altar; to left and right, ‘NWRA ZY ˗ ʾrthštr’, i.e. ‘ādur ī Ardaxšēr’ (‘Fire of Ardashir’ in Pahlavi). Göbl type V/2. SNS I, type VII/3c. Rare. Toned. Areas of weakness and with minor edge cracks and some deposits, otherwise, good very fine.