KHWARAZMIA. King Azkaswar II, circa 770-818. Drachm (Silver, 25 mm, 2.05 g, 7 h), citing governor al-Faḍl. Draped bust of Azkajwar II to right with a large necklace, wearing Khwarazmian royal head-dress; before head, ‘zkʾncwʾr’, i.e. ‘Zukānjwār’ (‘Azkajwar’ in Sogdian). Rev. King on horseback to right, holding a whip in his left hand and reins in his right hand; Khwarazmian tamgha to left; around, ‘MRʾY MLKʾ wzkʾnšwʾr’, i.e. ‘βēndak šāh Uzkānšwār’ (‘Lord [and] King Azkajwar’ in Khwarazmian); above the horse’s back, ‘Faḍl’ (‘Fadl’ in Arabic). Lurje 1555. Vainberg Г VIδ. Very rare. Weak strike and with some scratches, otherwise, very fine.


The al-Faḍl cited on this coin can be identified with the governor of Khorasan al-Faḍl ibn Sulaymān (AH 166-171 = 782-787) or al-Faḍl ibn Yaḥyā (AH 178-179 = 794-795).