ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Pashiz (Bronze, 22 mm, 0.59 g, 10 h), Arab Sasanian type, citing Farroxzad, ART (Ardashir-Khwarrah), circa AH 75-79 / AD 694-698. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, PLHWZ'T ('Farroxzad' in Pahlawi). Rev. ABAD (or AZAD) P'T'RTHŠTR ('May Ardashir-Kwarah be prosperous [or free]' in Pahlawi) Mythical bird Senmurv to left. Album 41. Gyselen 2. SICA I, 496. Very rare and with a beautiful reverse. Struck from a slightly worn obverse die, otherwise, very fine.

Senmurv (Simurgh) is a mythical bird in Persian mythology. It has the body of a peacock, the head of a dog and the claws of a lion