Islamic Coins

Arab-Sasanian, Khusraw II type, anonymous, temp. Abd al-Malik b. Marwan, silver drachm, King facing r. with date before bust, rev. standing caliph facing with hand on sword, legends to the side, wt. 2.16gms. (A.L40; Walker p. 25 Zub1), an edge break repair between 1-3 o’clock on the obverse, otherwise some corrosion but very fine, extremely rare
This extremely rare issue is a major step in the transition from Sasanian and Byzantine coinage to a purely Arab-Islamic issue. The obverse retains the standard Sasanian portrait of the King in profile, but with the legends now proclaiming the Islamic faith and written in Kufic. The reverse with the standing figure of the caliph draws its influence from the contemporary Byzantine gold solidi then in circulation.
Another example of this extremely rare coin was sold at Morton & Eden on 23rd April 2012 when it realised £160,000 + Buyers’ Premium.