Watch List notes:

ABBASID: al-Mutawakkil, 847-861, LOT of 5 silver dirhams: al-Mutawakkil: Fars 234; Marw 233; Samarqand 234; and al-Shash 233, and 234, all of the local style, mostly EF but some with central weakness as seems to be typical of the local issue; retail value $500, lot of 5 pieces. The "local" style different from the standard "imperial" style by much broader dies and a clearly distinctive calligraphy, and is restricted to the easern mints, which were then norminally under control of the Tahirid ruler Tahir II (AH230-248). The reason for the local issues is unknown, but since all the dates are also known from imperial style, it seems logical that something interfered with the delivery of standard dies from Iraq, so a local engraver was called to action to supply needed dies. From a recent hoard with terminal date AH237.

Estimate: 300-400 USD