ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 28 mm, 3.17 g, 3 h), Arab-Armenian, uncertain mint in Armenia or Adharbayjan, circa AH 80 = AD 700. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, 'MHMT' ('Muhammad' in Pahlawi), in outer margin, wāf ('full weight' in Kufic).
Rev. Sasanian fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attending priests (mabedh) standing facing; to left and right, traces of date and of a mint name. Album E97. SICA I, 494. A very rare and interesting issue. Light marks
, otherwise, very fine.
From the Tabib Collection, formed over the past 40 years.
It has been suggested that the 'Muhammad' mentioned on the obverse of this coin was Muhammad ibn Marwan, the brother of the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who completed the conquest of Armenia around 704/705. In any case, it is one of the great rarities in the Arab-Armenian series.
