Lot 1419

Description

Arab Sasanian, Eastern Sistan, billon dirhams (10) of Sear's Class IV, various governors including issue of Tamim ibn Sa'id (AH 166-170, AD 783-786), (Album 89; MWI.297); Talha bin Rida (Saleh rida) (3) (c.780s AD), one with countermark (Album 89D, cf. Baldwin's Islamic Auct.9, lots 3218-20), Bakkar (probably 770s-early 780s), (Album 87E, cf. CNG Mail Bid 78, lot 526), possible issue of Jannah (unknown, but c.760s) (Album 81), another with partial name ..h m d and countermark bi-illah Khalid, unidentified (3). Average condition fine, some with evidence of corrosion, but rare. (10)

Ex Dr L.J. Sherwin Collection, the lot was purchased from Spink, London auction No.8012 26 June 2008 (lot 67).

The coin of Tamim and the countermarked coin of Talha are illustrated. All coins in this series bear the usual Arab-Sasanian type (crowned bust and usual fire altar, most bear the name Khusro before the bust in Pahlavi script and the mint signature SK for Sijistan (modern Sistan). The silver content declined through each class and for the above class usually 20-40% but some as low as 10% (Album). Most examples known of Class IV are corroded.