ISLAMIC, 'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Rashid, AH 170-193 / AD 786-809. Hemidrachm (Silver, 23 mm, 1.53 g, 3 h), citing the governor of Tabaristan, Abd Allah ibn Arif (AH 175/6 = AD 792), Tabaristan, PYE 141 = AH 175/6 = AD 792. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, 'Abd Allah' in Kufic; in outer margin, APD / NWKW ('excellent' and 'good' in Pahlawi). Rev. Sasanian fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attendants standing facing; to left, date; to right, mint TPURSTAN ('Tabaristan' in Pahlawi). Album 70A. SICA I, 467. Walker, Arab-Sassanian, p. 151, U.14. Very rare. Scratched and porous, otherwise, very fine.

This type with 'ibn Arif' in the outer margin is known from the year PYE (Post-Yazdigerd era) 141 only