ISLAMIC, Time of the Rashidun. Pseudo-Byzantine types. Fals (Bronze, 23 mm, 3.49 g, 7 h), imitating a EN T૪TO NIKA follis of Constans II, without mint and date, circa AH 19-39 / AD 641-660. Imperial figure standing facing, wearing crown surmounted by cross, holding long cross in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left. Rev. Large m in center; around and in exergue, traces of legend. Goodwin, Khalili Collection, p. 34, 5 (type E). An apparently unique and historically important overstrike of a Pseudo-Byzantine type on a Roman coin. Heavy traces of overstriking, otherwise, very fine.


This issue was overstruck on an antoninianus of Probus (276-282 AD): one can clearly see the upper part of his head and the legend IMP C M AVR PROB[...] on the obverse, whereas the reverse shows the partial inscription [...]TIA TEMP / Γ // XXI. Thus, the overstruck issue is likely RIC 920 (CLEMENTIA TEMP) from Antioch, showing the emperor standing on the right and receiving a globe from Jupiter on the left. Overstrikes of Arab-Byzantine coins on Roman coins are well attested, but they usually date to the reigns of Mu'awiya I (AH 41-60 / AD 661-680) and Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (AH 65-86 / AD 685-705). Our example, on the other hand, appears to be the first known Pseudo-Byzantine issue overstruck on a Roman coin and is therefore of great interest.