The Coinage Reforms (600–603) of Khusru II and the Revolt of Vistahm by Tyler-Smith, S. RNS SP54
The Coinage Reforms (600–603) of Khusru II and the Revolt of Vistahm by Tyler-Smith, S. RNS SP54
Royal Numismatic Society Special Publication no. 54, London 2017, pp. xxiv, 292 including 52 plates; also maps, tables and illustrations in text. ISBN 0 901 405 89 2
One of the most intriguing literary passages relating to Sasanian coins is in al-Tabari’s, famous History. A number of questions about his ‘evil conduct’ are put to the former king of kings, Khusru II, shortly after his overthrow in 628. One concerns Khusru’s methods of tax gathering and his harsh treatment of his subjects. Khusru’s reply is important to numismatists as it contains the comment that he ordered ‘the engraving of new dies for coins, so that we might give our orders for beginning the minting of new silver [drachms] with them’. Khusru adds that he gave this order ‘at the end of year thirteen [602/3] of our reign’. The meaning of this passage and the remarkable coinage reforms of the early seventh century are explored in depth.
Khusru II’s long reign and the numerous mints operating
under him ensure that his drachms are the commonest in the Sasanian series.
Over 90% of the enormous ‘
By contrast the coinage of Khusru’s contemporary and rival,
the usurper Vistahm, is scarce. Its numerous varieties, from two mints,
contrast with Khusru’s centralised minting system which produced a highly
standardised, tightly controlled, coinage. Vistahm’s coins are the subject of a
special study with all the known dies