Anonymous Arab-Sassanian Coinage Of Syrian Origin Under ‘Abd al-Malik , 72 AH / 691 CE
Islamic Awareness
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First Composed: 24th January 2007
Last Modified: 24th January 2007
Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu:
Anonymous Arab-Sassanian coin issued under ‘Abd al-Malik, minted in 72 AH.
Date
72 AH / 691 CE.
Contents
Obverse field: Typical late Arab-Sassanian bust. Written in Arabic to downwards to the right of the bust: Muhammad rasūl Allāh ("Muhammad is the messenger of God"). The conventional Pahlavi benediction formula khurra afzut is behind the bust. Obverse margin: bism Allāh ("In the name of God"). Compare this coin with that issued by the Zubayrid governor of Bīshāpūr, ‘Abd al-Malik ibn ‘Abd Allāh [b. ‘Āmir] in 66 AH / 685-686 CE which says on the obverse margin: bism Allāh / Muhammad rasūl / Allāh ("In the name of God, Muhammad is the messenger of God").
Reverse field: Typical Arab-Sassanian fire-altar with attendants, with mint written in Arabic (Damascus) to the right and to the left the date in Arabic (72 AH), three circles around and crescents with stars to the four sides and an extra outer circle around.
Comments
Weight = 3.80 gms.
This is an extremely rare coin and marks the initial steps of ‘Abd al-Malik's monetary reforms in Damascus. The Muhammad rasūl Allāh in front of the Arab-Sassanian bust was replaced by the traditional Middle Persian name Khusraw still in 72 AH. Compare it with a coin from 73 AH and the reformed coinage of ‘Abd al-Malik.
Location
Not known. Sold in an auction in Germany.
References
[1] No references available.
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