6 N. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. {N.S., XIX, 
On the reverse of the coins of the early Sasanian kings, is 
a legend in six letters with the name of the king. It was 
read iezdani by De Sacy and nawazi by Dorn, Thomas and 
Mordtmann. De Sacy translated it by “ the divine, ’’\’Dorn 
and Mordtmann by “the adorer” and Thomas by “ fire- 
temple.” It was Néldeke (ZD.M.G., 1877, p. 148; and 
nira; and 2 (Aramaic) is the Semitic particle employed in 
Sasanian Pahlavi to express the possessive. According to 
rdashir. In spite of this determination Mordtmann 
(Z.D.M.G., 1880, p. 7) persists in his reading and translation. 
III. A Binominal Drachm of Ardashir I. 
Ardashir I is said to have taken his son Shapir as partner 
of his throne, and this is confirmed by coins on whicha youth- 
ful head appears along with that of Ardashir. Firdausi (Mob, 
age. Legendary tradition makes Shapir’s mother an Arsacid 
princess taken at the capture of Ctesiphon ; but, according to a 
more probable account, Shapur was already able to bear arms 
in the decisive battle with Ardavan (Artabanus) in 224 (accord- 
ing to Néldeke, or 227, according to Gutschmid). Nor can he 
ave been a mere stripling when his reign began, as his prow- 
ess against Rome shows; for in Ardashir’s last years, in the 
reign of Maximin (236-238), the war had been renewed, and 
Nisibis and Carrhae (Haran), two fortresses which constantly 
reappear in this history, had been taken, and in 242 Shapur 
had penetrated to Antioch. (For the birth of Shapiar, see Fir- 
daust, Mohl, Le Livre des Rois, Vol. V, p- 268 sq.; abart, 
Zotenberg, Vol. Il, p. 77; Tabari, Ndldeke, p. 27; and 
Karnamak, Néldeke, p. 62.) Ardaghir died late in 241, or early 
ose ign Shapiir was probably crowned on the 20th of 
4 
M 
in stamped facsimile. Unfortunately the legend on the obverse 
has not been properly deciphered. Thomas (in his latter 
