In the province of Isfahan, Iran, specialists from the Department of Cultural Heritage have completed the specialized conservation and restoration of thirty silver coins dating back to the Sasanian period.
Amir Karamzadeh reported that the coins were transferred to the provincial cultural heritage restoration workshop two months ago. There, each coin was individually studied and subjected to conservation and restoration measures depending on its actual condition and degree of wear.
Karamzadeh noted that the initial step was a thorough examination of the condition of each coin to determine conservation needs. He emphasized that because historical metal objects are exposed to the environment for long periods, they do not have the same type or degree of damage, making a uniform treatment method inapplicable to all.
The restoration process included documentation, controlled cleaning, removal of surface deposits and contaminants, as well as stabilization of the coins' preservation conditions. Karamzadeh stressed that the goal of restoration is not merely to improve appearance but to protect the historical material, control deterioration, and maintain their research value.
He also highlighted the importance of documenting the condition of historical artifacts before conservation work begins. Therefore, each coin was assessed individually, and its current state was recorded before undergoing the appropriate treatment.
Sasanian coins are considered important sources for studying the history and archaeology of the Sasanian Empire, which governed most of the Iranian Plateau and neighboring territories from 224 to 651 AD. The empire was located in the region of modern Iran and Iraq, with Ctesiphon, near modern Baghdad, as its capital.
The Sasanians minted a large number of silver coins, especially drachms, which are among the most important primary sources for studying the monetary and economic history of the empire. Inscriptions, royal portraits, and coin stamps can also provide information about political power, artistic traditions, and the organization of coin production.
According to Karamzadeh, preserving such objects is particularly important because further damage to their structure or loss of discernible features could diminish their documentary and research significance. He added that conservation work must control decay while preserving the historical and artistic features of the object to the greatest extent possible and ensuring suitable conditions for long-term study and storage.
The Sasanian Empire arose in 224 AD when Ardashir I, a descendant of the Zoroastrian priest Sasan, overthrew the Parthian ruler Artabanus IV. The dynasty remained in power for about four centuries until the defeat of its last ruler, Yazdegerd III, in 651.
The empire's economy was predominantly agrarian, although long-distance trade also played a significant role. Sasanian exports included textiles, carpets, leather goods, and Persian Gulf pearls, while goods arriving from China and India passed through Sasanian territories and were subject to customs duties.
Karamzadeh reported that conservation activities at the Isfahan workshop continue throughout the current Iranian year. Since the beginning of the year, this institution has conducted specialized conservation and restoration of 55 historical items made of ceramics, metal, and stone. The restored Sasanian coins will subsequently be stored under appropriate conservation conditions to support their long-term preservation and future study.