International Journal of Arts and Commerce ISSN 1929-7106 www.ijac.org.uk Study of Structure and Visual Features of the Parthian and Sassanid Coins Rasoul Parvari-moghadam Faculty of Art and Architecture University of Guilan, Iran Email: [email protected] Abstract Coins have been identified as key indicators of Iranian art due to their aesthetic and symbolic concepts. Symbolism is considered as one of tools for visual expression and transmission of the concepts in coins. It is impressive to examine symbolic elements according to the symbol position and how to apply them in different periods. Therefore, this article was an attempt to introduce the main structure and characteristics of the coins in the Parthian and Sassanid periods and to achieve the similarities and notable points on coins of the two eras with an emphasis on the visual values and also to evaluate and analyze coins of each period through saying visual elements with some examples. By the way the study of the evolution of coins makes it possible to achieve visual differences and similarities, as well. Keywords: Coin, Parthian, Sassanid, Visual elements, Symbolic motifs. Introduction Coins are as the most reliable visual sources of culture and ancient civilization and have had an important role in art history and are considered as a part of fine art of Iran. These works are valid documents on the events of different periods in Iran. Signs and symbols on the coins are concerned as the most important guide and researchers’ helper in recognition of culture and civilization and political and religious beliefs of different historical periods. In addition, signs and symbols can reflect the artistic value of each era and period. Designs and elements used in coins contain valuable information about the customs and culture, political and social conditions and religions, as well. One of the important features of archaeology is numismatic knowledge that has particular importance. It will be made obvious all dark and obscure things and corners about coins with this knowledge. An important part of the cultural characteristics of a community can be received by examining the features and visual characteristics employed. Sometimes, the study and knowledge of engraved images on coins can assist to appoint a coin to the specific king or special period. Coins reveal many facts about the life of kings and the people of their time. Analysis and study of visual motifs and structures of these periods represents the value of the art employed in them. These motifs are very innovative in their kinds and have made by craftsmen and master artists of those days and are a key source of historical knowledge about the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties. 140 International Journal of Arts and Commerce Vol. 4 No. 9 December, 2015 According to what has said, the issue of this study was how the original structure and arrangement of elements is in coins of the Parthian and Sassanid eras. Another was that the motifs and images used on the front and back of the coins include what elements and also, have what concepts. Also, it was a try to find an answer to the question of what are the similarities and differences between these coins. The purpose of this article was in fact to study and identify the elements, meanings and concepts that the artist has represented in designing the coins, because these particular images are the best documents to study and understand the ideas of the kings and people in bygone era. Therefore, it has been discussed the emersion and minting of coin and introduction of coin in the Parthian and Sassanid eras in brief. Then, comparative and visual study was taken place by examining the similarities and differences. Finally, the aspects and notable points of some coins have been discussed. Regarding the large number of the Parthian and Sassanid kings and the fact that it has been found several coins from each king, and also in the sense that some coins have many similarities with each other in terms of visual structure and it is not possible to deal with each one of them, so, the author also has refused to note the repeated images that were inconsistent with the object and purposes of this paper and has attempted to present a relatively clear picture from the mentioned cases regarding the limitation for providing the possibility of recognizing the coins’ structure in the future. Research history So far, many studies have been done about coins and numismatic and this subject has been of interest of many researchers for the study. Including Pop (2008) has introduced and investigated the coins of those periods in the book of "a survey of Persian art". It can be noted to other books such as "numismatic studies of Iran during Sassanid period" (1972, Tehran, Iran) by Malek Iraj Moshiri, "Iranian coins from the beginning until now" by Ali-akbar Sarfaraz and Fereidoun Avarzamani (2009), "The history and chronology of the Sassanid coins" by Pakzadian (2005), "Iranian coins before Islam" that is only catalog of the coins by Amini (2010) as well as "the history of coins" which has been wrote by Malekzadeh-bayani (1960) in two volumes with specialized study of Iranian coins. There are very much cases in recent articles that have been allocated to the coin and numismatic. One of the articles that have discussed some visual features of coins comparatively is the article of Dadvar and Makvandi entitled as "study of kings’ crown designs in Iranian coins from the Achaemenid to the Sassanid". It can be pointed out to other researches such as "stylistics of the Sassanid coins" by Gholizdeh. In this study, it was attempted to study and analyze visual features of coins to achieve their characteristics and similarities and differences between elements and motifs in both the Parthian and Sassanid eras. Methodology This study was based on descriptive-analytical method as well as gathering resources and information has been done as librarian. For this purpose, it was used not only the historical resources and documents and other written materials, but also national and foreign Internet resources have used. And regarding the existing samples, it was discussed to analyze visual elements and similarities and differences in their visual structure of the Parthian and Sassanid coins. In selecting the samples, it has also selected some cases with striking visual features related to the investigation. Emersion and minting the coins Coin is a part of metal from gold or silver or platinum or bronze or copper or nickel that government puts a sign on it and guarantees the accuracy of weight and alloy that would be put on coins, so that people can safely take it and apply it in their businesses (Movaghar, 1952: 313). Herodotus pointed out in his book that: as far as I know Lydians were the first people that have used gold and silver coins and have worked in retail (Herodotus, 2001: 57). The world's first standard coin was minted in Croesus period named as Cersoide in 141 International Journal of Arts and Commerce ISSN 1929-7106 www.ijac.org.uk Lydia land. They possessed a number of characteristics such as weight, kind and identified and fixed grade. The motif was created on the coins was actually seals of the Croesus government that a strict law was imposed to support it and punishment of those who have sneaked into the coinage was death. Iranians also realized the existence of coins and the need to it after successive conquests of Asia Minor. In fact after the conquest of Lydia by Achaemenid Cyrus, Persians were able to reach this important invention of mankind that was the coinage. Although he realized the necessity of the coin and establishment of the mint, but his death did not give him the opportunity, therefore Achaemenid Darius (486-522 BC) was the first king who minted coins in Iran. He applied what was common in Lydia for the proportion of gold and silver and made coins prevailing in trade and business that were the most important economic factors. Darius has also affiliated minting of gold coins across the kingdom and Asian national countries and no one had the right to violate this rule (Wathiq, 2008: 32). The coins had been a means to advertise of ancient Persian governors after availability of them for kings. So, coin that was concerned as the official statement of the government was minted in order to promote political ideas or ideological concepts (Lukin, 2010: 86). All the activities of production, manufacture and mint of coins were taken in a place called mint or "deram-sara". A broker or manufacturer of coins in Sassanian was called "stud" and "Zarrab" or "Amin al-Zarb" in more recent periods. The first coin that has the mint’s sign belonged certainly to the Parthian era and governing of Mithridates I, because before the kingdom of Mithridates I, there was not really necessary to have more than one mint due to limited Parthian territory, but since his coming to power, the scope of this dynasty was significantly expanded and it would become apparent the need to create multiple mints around the country. Coins in the Parthian era The Parthian is considered as one of the most important periods of Iran’s history. This great period begins with uprising of Arsaces I against the Greek rulers about 240 years before Chris and lasted for five centuries. Arsaces attacked to the Parthia during years 238/239 BC during the kingdom of Seleucus II, and won Andragoras, then attacked to Hyrcania (Wolf-land) and captured there also and laid the foundations of the Parthian dynasty.