ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. Temp. Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik, AH 105-125 / AD 724-743. Hemidrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 2.08 g, 3 h), citing spahbed Farkhan (AD 711-731) of the Dabwayhids, Tabaristan, PYE 75 = AH 108 = 726/7. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, PRHWAN ('Farkhan' in Pahlawi); 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 51. SICA I, -. Walker, Arab-Sassanian, pl. XXIII.b. Minor die break on the obverse and with light deposits on the reverse
, otherwise, extremely fine.
From the Dr. David Majer Collection of Islamic coins, formed over the past two decades.
Farkhan was the first Dabwayhids spahbed (military officer) to issue coins under his own name.
