Arab-Armenian. "Muhammad" (Muhammad b. Marwan?) Zuzun ND (c. AH 80 / AD 700) VF (lightly cleaned, scratches, likely mount removal), "ShY" (Shiraz?) mint, A-H97 (RRR), ICV-90, Zeno-214376. 28mm. 2.92gm. Of the utmost rarity in spite of the noted damage, the strike, most particularly on the reverse, much nicer than could usually be expected with clear calligraphy and laudable engraving save for the blundered pseudo-date. Among the most desirable sub-varieties of this often overlooked series, with the "governor's" name written in Arabic in the obverse margin, possibly referring to Muhammad ibn Marwan, who completed the Arab conquest of Armenia between AD 704-705. With the exception of the noted entry from Zeno, the Greek tau in the bottom crescent appears unrecorded, where only Φ, M, and Σ were previously known. For comparison an (admittedly nicer) representative hammered for $5200 in Steve Album's September 2012 Auction #14 (lot 98).

HID09801242017

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