ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. Drachm (Silver, 30 mm, 2.79 g, 3 h), Arab-Armenian type, citing governor Muhammad ibn Marwan, the Caliph's brother (circa AH 73-75 / AD 692-694), RY 6 (frozen date?). Draped and crowned Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, ‘ʾp̄zwn’ (‘increase’ in Pahlavi); before head, ‘mhmt’ (‘Muhammad’ in Pahlavi); in the margin, ‘bism Allāh lā ilāha illā Muḥammad rasūl Allāh’ (‘In the name of Allah. There is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah’ in Arabic). Rev. Fire altar, flanked by two attendants; above altar, pellet and crescent; to left, ‘ŠTA’ = ‘šaš’ (‘six’ in blundered Pahlavi); to right, ‘ẔWẔN'’ = ‘drahm’ (‘drachm’ in Pahlavi); in the margin, ‘rabbī Allāh’ (‘My Lord is Allah’ in blundered Arabic). Zeno-343574 (this coin). Cf. Album F97 (‘Muḥammad’ in Arabic in the obverse margin). Extremely rare. A key rarity in the Arab-Armenian series and of crucial importance to Armenian and early Umayyad history. Some corrosion, scratches and deposits, otherwise, very fine.

From a Canadian collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group Islamic Auction 6, 9 August 2024, 56 and Classical Numismatic Group Islamic Auction 5, 18 April 2024, 8.

On the obverse of this remarkable coin, to the right of the bust, the name 'Muhammad' is inscribed. most scholars associate this name with Muhammad ibn Marwan (died AH 101 / AD 719/720), the brother of Caliph 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (AH 65-86 / AD 685-705). A key figure in the expansion and consolidation of Umayyad rule on the northern frontier, Muhammad ibn Marwan played a pivotal role, particularly in Armenia. He gained notoriety for his brutal and uncompromising actions against the local Armenian population, forcing many into Byzantine exile. As governor of Armenia (circa AH 73-75 / AD 692–694), he firmly established Muslim control over the region, a legacy that endured into the Abbasid era.