Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. Temp. Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik, AH 105-125 / AD 724-743. Hemidrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 2.06 g, 3 h), citing spahbed Farkhan (AD 711-731) of the Dabwayhids, Tabaristan, PYE 76 = AH 109 = AD 727/8. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, PRHWAN ('Farkhan' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, APD / NWKW ('excellent' and 'good' in Pahlawi). Rev. Sasanian fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attendants standing facing; to left, date; to right, mint TPURSTAN ('Tabaristan' in Pahlawi). Album 50. SICA I, -. Walker, Arab-Sassanian, -. Beautifully toned. Good extremely fine.


Farkhan was the first Dabwayhids spahbed (military officer) to issue coins under his own name.