Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Islamic Auction 3 27 Apr 2023
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Pre-reform issues, Arab-Sasanian. Numayla b. Malik. fl. AH 72-73 / AD 692-3. AR Drachm (26.4mm, 2.07 g, 3h). WYHC (Arrajan) mint. Dated AH 72 (AD 691/2). Obverse margin: - / • bismillah :: / Numayla bin Malik / -. Cf. Malek p. 308 = Walker p. 106, Cam.11 (dated AH 73). Lightly clipped, slightly ragged edge and some corrosion on bust. Good Fine. Of the highest rarity, believed unique.
The marginal inscription on this coin confirms the correct reading of the governor's name, which had previously been the subject of some uncertainty since the Pahlawi name-legend is somewhat ambiguous. Originally interpreted as 'al-Mughira b. al-Muhallab' by Walker, this was subsequently corrected by Mochiri to 'Numayra b. Muslih', and refined further by Malek to 'Numayla b. Muslih.' The Arabic version of his name confirms that 'Numayla' is the correct reading of the first name and also establishes that the full name of this mysterious governor is in fact 'Numayla b. Malik.'
This reading had in fact been proposed in 2000 by Alan DeShazo, who identified Numayla b. Malik as a military commander who led one of the divisions of the army of Basra. It is not clear that this position would have given him sufficient authority to strike drachms in his own name, but if he ever held a higher post our sources are silent on the matter. The present specimen also confirms that he struck coins in AH 72 as well as 73.
The marginal inscription on this coin confirms the correct reading of the governor's name, which had previously been the subject of some uncertainty since the Pahlawi name-legend is somewhat ambiguous. Originally interpreted as 'al-Mughira b. al-Muhallab' by Walker, this was subsequently corrected by Mochiri to 'Numayra b. Muslih', and refined further by Malek to 'Numayla b. Muslih.' The Arabic version of his name confirms that 'Numayla' is the correct reading of the first name and also establishes that the full name of this mysterious governor is in fact 'Numayla b. Malik.'
This reading had in fact been proposed in 2000 by Alan DeShazo, who identified Numayla b. Malik as a military commander who led one of the divisions of the army of Basra. It is not clear that this position would have given him sufficient authority to strike drachms in his own name, but if he ever held a higher post our sources are silent on the matter. The present specimen also confirms that he struck coins in AH 72 as well as 73.