Drachms of Hormuzd IV with a cross

[i-xan]

There exist so called Georgian-Sassanian drachms with a cross on the atashdan/fireplace instead of a fire with or without legends in Georgian.

E.Pakhomov in his Coins of Georgia also mentions that in Hermitage there’s a coin, drachm of Hormuzd IV with clear cross (bigger in size) behind the lower part of Hormuzd’s head, right above the shoulder. D.Kapanadze presents the similar coin in his book Georgian Numismatics, with even more clear cross in the same place.

I’ve seen drachms of Hormuzd IV with the fire on the fireplace, but with something resembling the cross behind the upper part of Hormuzd’s head (sorry, I’ve not got the scans yet). Lower, above the shoulder there’s a globe made up by a bunch of dots, probably representing the hairdress.

I have the following questions, could you help me, please

How common are drachms of Hormuzd IV with a cross-shape element behind his head?
In your opinion, was this a deliberate attempt of an engraver to represent the cross, or is this cross accidentally made up by dots representing the hairdress or its part? But why so high, right behind the lower part of the crown?
The element right above Hormuzd’s right shoulder is a hairdo, isn’t it?
What’s behind the lower part of the crown on drachms of Hormuzd IV?

In my consideration it maybe interesting for those collecting and researching Sassanian coins seriously.

[i-xan]

No one got interested?
Here's the image

[i-xan]

Do you see the cross?

[Howard Cole]

What you are calling a cross element behind the head is fairly common on coins of Hormazd IV.  This element represents the ties for the diadem and has nothing to do with religion.

Almost all examples in Sellwood, Gobl and Mitchiner show this element to some degree.

I would be more interested in seeing a picture of the coin you mention that is illustrated in Coins of Georgia, instead of the one you posted from Iran.

[i-xan]

At last!

What you are calling a cross element behind the head is fairly common on coins of Hormazd IV.  

I call it not a cross element but a cross-SHAPE element

This element represents the ties for the diadem and has nothing to do with religion.

thank you hcole

I would be more interested in seeing a picture of the coin you mention that is illustrated in Coins of Georgia

the quality of the reproductions is poor enough, I don't think it's a good idea to scan it.