536 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [December, 1912. 
117. A NEw TYPE OF SILVER DiRHAM OF THE SASSANIAN 
Monarcno ZAMAsp (JAMASP). 
(With Plate XXVIII.) 
History says that when Kobad, the father of the cele- 
pal nobles, on account of his becoming a proselyte to one 
Mazdak, an impostor, his brother Zamasp was proclaimed as 
king with all the usual formalities. 
amasp was noted for his love of justice, and for the 
mildness of his disposition. 
Kobad, the ex-king, in a short time effected his escape 
from the “‘ Castle of Oblivion.’’ He then took refuge at the 
favour, retired into private life. This happened in the year 
99 4.D. Zamasp reigned from 497 to 499 a.p. 
His coins of the double portrait have already been pub- 
lished. (Vide Dorn, Pl. XVIII, figs. 1 to 15.) They bear the 
regnal years from 1 to 3, and different mints. 
The coi e now the pleasure to describe is not 
a double portrait coin, but with a single portrait. 
Figure 1. 
Description :— 
Metal—Silver. 
Mint 45§ =»°=MR (Merv). 
Diameter—1-°25 inch. 
Obverse :—Bust of king to right within a dotted circle, 
with a creneliated crown similar in design to that of his 
broker Kob4d (during his 2nd reign), but devoid of 
wings ; a crescent with a star in its bosom in front of the 
crown. Two crescents also appearing—one on each 
shoulder—just above ; a little distant from the centre of 
Legend :—To right in front of face (reading from outside) 
in Pahalvi characters G22 =(@) sp=y~(!) 
