ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 27 mm, 2.56 g, 2 h), Arab-Sasanian type, citing governor Khalid ibn Abd Allah (AH 73-75 = AD 692-694), BCRA (al-Basra), AH 73 = AD 692/3. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, HALYD Y APDWLAAN ('Khalid ibn Abd Allah' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'bism Allah' ('In the name of Allah') and 'Muhammad Rasul Allah' ('Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah' in Arabic). Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, date; to right, BCRA (name of the mint in Pahlawi). Album 24. Malek, Arab-Sasanian, 204. Very rare. Clipped, otherwise, good fine.


Khalid ibn Abd Allah from the Banu Umayya was a trusted associate of al-Hajjaj and the second governor to place 'Muhammad Rasul Allah' on a coin.