Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. al-Walid I ibn 'Abd al-Malik, AH 86-96 / AD 705-715. Pashiz (Bronze, 20 mm, 0.46 g, 4 h), anonymous Arab-Sasanian type, derived from the 'Anahita' issue of Khosrau II, without mint name, circa AH 81-101 = AD 700-720. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II facing, wearing elaborate and winged mural crown; to left, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); to right, HWSRWD ('Khosrau' in Pahlawi). Rev. Draped bust of Anahita wearing a flame nimbus around the head; to left, illegible legend; to right, HWSRWD ('Khosrau' in Pahlawi). Album N41. Gyselen 65. SICA I, -. In exceptional condition for this very difficult issue. Minor edge crack and with light deposits, otherwise, good very fine.


R. Gyselen questions the widely accepted identification of the bust on the reverse as a representation of the goddess Anahita. In his opinion, it is much more likely 'a male divinity with a strong relationship to the Holy Zoroastrian Fire' (Gyselen, Arab-Sasanian, p. 32).