ISLAMIC, 'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Mahdi, AH 158-169 / AD 775-785. Hemidrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 2.00 g, 7 h), Tabaristan, citing governor ʿUmar ibn al-ʿAlā (PYE 120-129 = AH 155-164 = AD 771-780), PYE 124 = AH 159 = AD 775. Draped Sasanian-style bust to right, wearing an elaborate crown; behind head, ‘GDE / ʾp̄zwt’ (‘[may his] glory increase’ in Pahlavi); before head, ‘ʾwml’ (‘ʿUmar’ in Pahlavi); in the outer margin to left and right, ‘slk'(?) ˗ ʾp̄d’ (‘pure(?) ˗ wonderful’ in Pahlavi). Rev. Fire altar, flanked by two attendants; above altar, star and crescent; to left, date in Pahlavi; to right, ‘tpwlstʾn’ (‘Tabaristan’ in Pahlavi). Album 55. Lustrous and beautifully toned. Light doubling, otherwise, good extremely fine.