Sasanian Empire Ardashir I, 224-240. Double Dinar circa 233-239, Ctesiphon. Bust of Ardashir I right, wearing diadem (type R) and close-fitting headdress with korymbos / Fire altar (flames 1) with diadems (type R). 14,97g. Göbl pl. 1, 9 var.; Paruck pl. 11, 34 var.; SNS type IIIa (4a)/3a and pl. 8, A14 var. Apparently the second known. An extraordinary rarity. The only specimen ever to appear at auction. Extremely fine. Provenance: CNG Triton XXII (8 January 2019), 481. The founder of the Persian Sasanian Empire, Ardashir I, introduced a new series of coinage in Ctesiphon, his capital city, between 233 and 239. While silver coins remained the main medium of exchange, Ardashir I also issued rare gold coins: the dinar, its divisions and some extremely rare double dinars. The rarity of these coins suggests that they were prestige issues, intended more for the emperor's largesses than for local circulation.