Catalog
| Issuer | Umayyad Caliphate |
|---|---|
| Year | 696-714 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Drachm (1) |
| Currency | Drachm (661-750) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.75 g |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) |
| Obverse description | Head of Khosrau II on the obverse |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Fire altar |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (696-714) BYS - Bishapur mint - |
| Numisquare ID | 1011837540 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This Arab-Sasanian drachm, struck at Bishapur under al-Hajjaj b. Yusuf (696-714 CE), marks a pivotal era in early Islamic numismatics. As the powerful Umayyad governor of Iraq, al-Hajjaj was instrumental in consolidating Caliphal power and initiating coinage reforms. This coin represents the final phase of the transitional Arab-Sasanian series, preceding the purely aniconic Islamic dirhams. It exemplifies the Umayyad strategy of integrating Islamic epigraphy onto familiar Sasanian monetary forms before establishing a distinct Islamic coinage.
Artistry: The artistry adheres to the Arab-Sasanian stylistic school, mimicking late Sasanian prototypes, notably Khosrow II. The obverse features a stylized Sasanian ruler's bust, typically facing right with a winged crown and Pahlavi legends. Crucially, Arabic pious phrases like "Bismillah" or "la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu" are incorporated in the margins. The reverse displays the traditional Sasanian fire altar flanked by attendants, with Pahlavi mint (BYŠPVR) and date, augmented by Arabic inscriptions, signifying the Islamic overlay on Sasanian iconography.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this drachm weighs approximately