ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 32 mm, 4.83 g, 3 h), Arab-Sasanian type, citing governor al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf (AH 75-95 = AD 694-713), BYŠ (Bishapur), AH 80 = AD 699/700. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, 'Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf' (in Kufic); in outer margin, 'lillah al-hamd' ('praise be to Allah' in Kufic). Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper fiel to left, six-pointed star; in upper field to right, crescent; to left, date; to right, BYŠ (name of the mint in Pahlawi). Album 35.3. Malek, Arab-Sasanian, 349A. SICA I, 220. Minor corrosion and with light scratches, otherwise, very fine.

Ex Dr. L.J. Sherwing collection, privately acquired from Elsen FPL 219, 3 January 2002, 497 (with original dealer’s ticket).