The modern Persian name of Iran (ایران) derives from the 3rd-century Sasanian Middle Persian ērān, where it initially meant "of the Aryans," and acquired a geographical connotation in the sense of "(lands inhabited by) Aryans." In both geographic and demonymic senses, ērān is distinguished from its antonymic anērān, meaning "non-Iran(ian)".
Shapur I's inscription at the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht (c. AD 262), with Ērānšahr and Ērān highlighted.
The word "Iran" (Middle Persian: 𐭠𐭩𐭫𐭠𐭭) on a coin of the first Sasanian King of Kings Ardashir I
An inscription in Middle Persian on the tombstone of a Christian from Anatolia in the 9th century AD: ēn gōr Hurdād [pusar ī Ohrmazdāfrīd] rāy ast, kū-š xvadāy bē āmurzād. az mān ī Ērānšahr, az rōdestāg Zargān, az deh Xišt This grave is the grave of Khordad, the son of HormazdAfrid, may God bless him. From the land of "Iranshahr", from the region Zargan, from the village Khesht
Qajar-era currency bill featuring a depiction of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. It states: Issued from the imperial bank of Iran
Ardashir I, also known as Ardashir the Unifier, was the founder of the Persian Sasanian Empire. He was also Ardashir V of the Kings of Persis, until he founded the new empire. After defeating the last Parthian shahanshah Artabanus IV on the Hormozdgan plain in 224, he overthrew the Arsacid dynasty and established the Sasanian dynasty. Afterwards, Ardashir called himself "shahanshah" and began conquering the land that he called Iran.
Drachma of Ardashir I, minted at Hamadan between 233 and 239
Initial coinage of Ardashir I, as King of Persis Artaxerxes (Ardaxsir) V. c. 205/6–223/4. Obv: Bearded facing head, wearing diadem and Parthian-style tiara, legend "The divine Ardaxir, king" in Pahlavi. Rev: Bearded head of Papak, wearing diadem and Parthian-style tiara, legend "son of the divinity Papak, king" in Pahlavi.
Silver drachma of Ardashir I, struck at the Hamadan mint, dated c. 238–239. The obverse of the coin depicts Ardashir I with legend "The divine Mazdayasnian King Ardashir, King of King of the Iranians", while the reverse shows a fire altar with the legend "Ardashir's fire".