★ Earliest Islamic fals ★

ARAB-BYZANTINE, Rashidun Caliphate, AE fals, c. 637-643, Imitating a follis of Cyprus. Uncertain mint in Syria, 4.40g, 26mm.
Obv: Three imperial figures standing facing, each wearing crown surmounted by cross and holding globus cruciger in his right hand.
Rev: Large M between blundered legend and X/Ч/II; above, cross; below; Γ; in exergue, KVΠP.
Pottier class I.1c, Goodwin Class C, Album 3501. Scarce.

Pottier and Goodwin agree that this is the earliest Arab-Byzantine fals; if the Byzantine collector gets only one Arab-Byzantine type, make it this one, which was produced as the earliest Muslim wave was overtaking Syria. (For more Arab-Byzantine, including some important rarities, please see the Islamic section of this auction.)