Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 31 mm, 4.00 g, 12 h), Arab-Sasanian type, Eastern Sistan series, SK (Sijistan), circa AH 60s-80s = AD 680s-700s. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, 'Khosrau' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'bism Allah' ('In the name of Allah' in Kufic), 'Rabbi' ('My Lord') in Kufic and DWM (in Pahlawi). Rev. Sasanian fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attending priests (mabedh) standing facing; to left, blundered date; to right, mint ('SK' in Pahlawi). Album P75. Nicely toned. Very fine.


From the collection of J. Knudsen, formed from the late 1970s to the late 1990s.

The meaning of the Pahlawi legend DWM on the obverse is unclear.