Description

Abbasid: Temp. Al-Mahdi (AH 158-169 / AD 775-785). AR Hemidrachm (1.94g/ 22mm). Issue of Sa’id bin Da’laj, governor in Tabaristan, Tabaristan mint, PYE 126 = AH 161 = 777/ 8. Sasanian style bust to right, crowned and draped, to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH (‘may his kingship increase’ in Pahlawi); before head, ‘sa’id’ in Arabic; in outer margin, APD / NWKW (‘excellent’ and ‘good’ in Pahlawi). Rev. Fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attendants standing facing; above star and crescent; to left, date in Pahlawi PNCWYSTST; to right, TPURSTAN (‘Tabaristan’ in Pahlawi). SICA I, 411. Very fine.