★ A beautiful Standing Caliph ★

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Fals (Bronze, 19 mm, 3.41 g, 6 h), 'Standing Caliph' type, Hims, AH 74-80 / AD 693/4-699/700. Caliph standing facing, bearded, placing his right hand on the pommel of his sword and whip hanging from his right elbow; around, 'J li' abd Allah' abd al-Malik amir al-Mu'minin' ('for the servant of God, Abd al-Malik, Commander of the Faithful' in Kufic). Rev. Transformed cross standing on three steps; in field to left, wāf ('full weight' in Kufic); in field to right, 'bi-hims' ('in Hims' in Kufic); around, part of the first Kalima reading 'la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu Muhammad Rasul Allah' ('There is no God but God alone; Muhammad is the prophet of God' in Kufic). DOCAB 108. Goodwin, Standing Caliph Coinage, Hims, Type III. SICA I, 689. A very attractive example with lovely earthen highlights. Good very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.