Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Islamic Auction 2 27 Oct 2022
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Pre-reform issues, Arab-Sasanian. In the name of Khusraw II. AR Drachm (34.5mm, 4.09 g, 9h). ŠY (uncertain location). Dated AH 33 (AD 654). Obverse: name of Khusraw in Pahlawi before bust; jayyid in second quadrant of margin. Malek, Arab-Sasanian 1242A; Album F6. Toned. Near EF. Very rare, especially in this condition.
Drachms with the obverse legend jayyid instead of bismillah are generally regarded as some of the very earliest Arab-Sasanian coins. Coins with the name and portrait of Yazdigerd III are known from at least six different mints, while those which copy Khusraw II types are only reported from the mint of ŠY (as here). Most jayyid drachms have the frozen 'year 20' date of the Yazdigerd Era, but the date '33' on the present coin has been plausibly interpreted by Album as a Hijri date (so Malek p. 47, citing SICA 1, p. 8). If Album is correct, this coin is the earliest Islamic coin to bear a Hijri date.
Drachms with the obverse legend jayyid instead of bismillah are generally regarded as some of the very earliest Arab-Sasanian coins. Coins with the name and portrait of Yazdigerd III are known from at least six different mints, while those which copy Khusraw II types are only reported from the mint of ŠY (as here). Most jayyid drachms have the frozen 'year 20' date of the Yazdigerd Era, but the date '33' on the present coin has been plausibly interpreted by Album as a Hijri date (so Malek p. 47, citing SICA 1, p. 8). If Album is correct, this coin is the earliest Islamic coin to bear a Hijri date.