Typology of Tabaristan Sassanid Coin Types in the First and Second Centuries (A.H.)

The kings of Tabaristan were independently engaged in the coinage before the conquest of the region by the Muslim Arabs. The overall artistic decorations of the coins were similar to that of the Sassanid’s. However, their weights, sizes, inscription contents and images differed from the Sassanid Drachmas. Unlike the dating of the Sassanid coins (based on the beginning date of the reign of each king), the dating was based on the date of the demise of Yazdgerd the third. These changes were more evident on the Abbasid provinces coinage and various types of them were identified. In this study, the transition era coins and different coin types of Ispahbudhan and Arab Provinces were distinguished and separated. The results showed that independent kings as well as the provinces of the Abbasid had more than one coin type in terms of inscriptions, artistic decorations and signs. This study implemented cultural historical approach and collected the necessary information using library resources as well as evaluating the coins available in the museums and collections.