HORMAZD II, SASSANIAN AR DRACHM, 303 - 309 C.E.
SNS type Ia/3a, Sunrise 815, AVF/VF, 25.8mm, 3.34 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
Nicely centered on a tight flan, likely clipped in antiquity.
Hormizd as the father of Shapur II. Shapur's mother Ifra Hormiz is mentioned numerous times in the Talmud as a righteous woman. 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.
