Lot 3996

Description

Arab Sassanian prototype issue, Khusru II (A.D. 590 - 627), silver drachm or dirhem, Darabgird mint, dated year 31 (A.D. 621), with word 'praise' in outer margin, (cf.Walker alpha [p.2] Plate I, alpha; cf.M.21; Sellwood type 62; Gobl 214). Clipped flan, otherwise very fine and scarce.

The typical Sassanian bust of this coin becomes with the standard bust type of Islamic drachms with governor's names (as in the next lot). This type with the additional word in the outer frame becomes the model adopted by the Umaiyad Governors using this Sassanian coinage model for those issues.