Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 30 mm, 4.12 g, 10 h), Arab-Sasanian type, citing the caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, DA + P (Fasa), PYE 60 = AH 72 = 691/2. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, APDLMYLYK AMYR-Y WRWYŠNYKAN ('Abd al-Malik, Commander of the Faithful' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'bism Allah' ('In the name of Allah') and three pellets to left and right of one star-in-crescent. Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, date; to right, DA and to left of altar, P (name of the mint in Pahlawi). Album 32. Malek, Arab-Sasanian, 505. A beautiful example. Good extremely fine.


From the collection of Dr. D. Löer, ex St. James Auction 37, 27 June 2016, 193.