Sasanian Empire Hormizd IV Silver Drachm — 579–590 AD

Sasanian Empire silver drachm, attributed to Hormizd IV, ruler of Persia from 579–590 AD. The obverse shows the crowned royal bust facing right with Pahlavi legend around, while the reverse displays the classic Sasanian Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by two attendants, with star and crescent symbols in the fields. LD (Ray) mint.

This example measures 30mm and weighs 4.06 grams, right where it should be for a proper Sasanian drachm. XRF testing shows 97.36% silver, with trace gold, copper, and lead consistent with ancient high-grade silver.

This is real late-6th-century Persian imperial silver — not some mystery “ancient-looking” thing from the bottom of a junk box. Broad flan, bold altar reverse, actual history, and enough silver purity to make modern “collectibles” sit down and shut up.