Follis / Fals - temp. Uthman Ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abu talib - standing figure type Arab-Byzantine

Historical Context: This Follis/Fals, minted 658-664 CE, is a pivotal numismatic artifact from the late Rashidun Caliphate, spanning the reigns of Uthman Ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abu Talib. Issued during the First Fitna, it exemplifies the pragmatic adaptation of existing Byzantine monetary systems by early Muslim authorities. These Arab-Byzantine issues reflect the nascent Islamic state's immediate need for currency and the gradual assertion of its identity within a familiar iconographic framework.

Artistry: Belonging to the Arab-Byzantine stylistic school, this coin features the characteristic "standing figure type," directly emulating contemporary Byzantine imperial coinage. While engravers were anonymous, the design reflects local workshops adapting established prototypes. The obverse typically depicts a stylized emperor, often holding a scepter and globus, rendered in a manner that, while recognizable, can appear more schematic than its Byzantine forebears. The reverse often carries a modified Byzantine motif.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper, this example weighs 2.6 grams and measures 22 millimeters, typical for an early Islamic fals. Key high-points for grading include the clarity of the standing figure's head, shoulders, and attributes. Strike quality varies; well-centered examples with sharp details are prized. Many exhibit off-centering, weak strike, or surface corrosion, common to early copper issues. Die wear and planchet irregularities are frequent observations for this transitional coinage (A#3504).