Lot 4147

Description

Sogdiana, Bukhara, Turco-Hephthalite lords of Bukhara in the name of the Abbasid caliph al-Mahdhi (A.D. 775-785), billon drachm, (2.406 grams), obv. "al-Mahdhi" behind the bust in Arabic, Bukhar Hudat ("lord of Bukhara") in Bukharan script in front of the bust, with crowned Sassanian-style bust right, rev. fire altar with ribbons and attendants, crowned bust left in flames and imitating Sassanian king Bahram V, (Album 94; Mitchiner ACW 1395, Zeimal fig. 1, 10-12; Walker, Arab-Sassanian, pp. 166, 319, [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 as noted above is read behind the bust.