Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 32 mm, 3.33 g, 3 h), Arab-Sasanian type, citing governor Abd Allah ibn Khazim (circa AH 62-72 = AD 682-692), MLW (Marw), AH 70 = AD 689/90. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, APDULA / Y HZMAN ('Abd Allah ibn Khazim' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'bism Allah' ('In the name of Allah') and a countermark of the mythical creature Senmurv. Rev. Sasanian fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attending priests standing facing; to left, date; to right, MLW (name of the mint in Pahlawi). Album 19. Malek, Arab-Sasanian, 868. SICA I, -. Walker, Arab-Sasanian, p. 94, 185. Cleaning scratches and somewhat wavy, otherwise, very fine.


The countermark shows a senmurv (simurgh), a mythical bird in Persian mythology with the body of a peacock, the head of a dog and the claws of a lion.