Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 31 mm, 3.76 g, 8 h), citing the Kharijite governor in Kirman, 'Atiya ibn al-Aswad (AH 70-77 = AD 689-696), KLMAN-NAT (uncertain location in Kirman), AH 73 = AD 692/3. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, ATYYA Y ASWDAN ('Atiya ibn al-Aswad' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'bism Allah wali al-Amr' ('in the name of God, possessor of the command' in Kufic). Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper field to left, six-pointed star; in upper field to right, crescent; to left, date in Pahlawi; to right, KLMAN-NAT (name of the mint in Pahlawi). Album 28. Malek, Arab-Sasanian, -. SICA I, 326. Walker, Arab-Sasanian, p. 111, I.45. Rare. About very fine.


'Atiya ibn Aswad was the founder of a branch of the Kaharijite sect standing in opposition to the Umayyads as the rightful Khalifas of the Prophet. Persecuted by the forces of al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra, 'Atiya ibn Aswad fled eastwards to Sind, where he was eventually defeated and killed.