Lot 3564

Description

Sogdiana, Bukhara, local issue, (6th-8th centuries A.D., Mitchiner c.700 A.D.), billon drachm, (2.040 grams), imitating Merv mint drachm of Sassanian King Bahram V, obv. Crowned bust right, Bokharan legend around, rev. Fire altar with attendants and ribbon and crude crowned bust of Bahram right superimposed upon altar, (Mitchiner ACW 1395 [same dies], Zeimal fig. 1, 10-12; Walker, Arab-Sassanian, pp. 166, [Pl.XXIX, 5]). Worn and fine as usual, rare.

Mitchiner assigns the issue to the Islamic period under Caliph Al Mahdi AH 158-169, A.D. 770-785. The Caliph's name is read behind the bust.