Lot 2094

Description

Arab-Sassanian prototype issue, Khusru II (A.D. 590 - 627), silver drachm or dirhem, (4.116 grams), 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). Extremely fine and scarce.

The typical Sassanian bust of this coin became 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 also becomes the model adopted by the Umaiyad Governors using this Sassanian coinage model for these issues.