HORMAZD II, SASSANIAN AR DRACHM, 303 - 309 C.E.
Sunrise 815, About Extremely Fine, light corrosion, 28.5mm, 3.60 grams
Obverse: Bust of Hormizd II to right, wearing eagle crown with korymbos
Reverse: Fire altar with ribbon and bust facing in flames, flanked by two attendants, the left wearing a winged crown with korymbos, the other wearing a mural crown
Coin lighter than appears in photo. Almost no wear but somewhat softly struck. Nice looking in hand.
Hormizd as the father of Shapur II. Shapur''s mother Ifra Hormiz is mentioned numerous times in the Talmud as a righteous woman who protected Jewish people from persecution. She was the concubine of Hormiz and her son Shapur was actually pronounced king while still in her womb! This may help explain her great influence at the King Shapur's court.
