Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, 'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Ma'mun, AH 199-218 / AD 813-833. Dirham (Silver, 32 mm, 3.05 g, 11 h), Eastern Sistan Series, citing Imad, but countermarked al-Layth, Sistan, circa AH 200-204 = AD 815-819. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, HWSRWD ('Khosrau' in blundered Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'Imad', 'bism Allah' ('In the name of Allah') and 'Rabbi' ('my Lord') in Kufic; in upper right margin, countermark: 'al-Layth / Ja'iz' ('al-Layth / current' in Kufic). Rev. Fire altar flanked by two attendants; to left, blundered date; to right, blundered mint. Album B90. Rare. Minor edge crack and with a light scratch on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


This countermark was likely applied by Al-Layth ibn al-Fadl al-Abiwardi, who served as governor under two caliphs, Harun al-Rashid, and his son al-Ma'mun.