Arab-Sasanian Dirham

Umayyad Caliphate (struck in the Sasanian style) · Circa 60-80 AH (680-700 AD)

A thin, broad silver coin featuring a stylized Sasanian Persian portrait on one side and Kufic Arabic inscriptions on the other side.

Country: Umayyad Caliphate (struck in the Sasanian style)
Year: Circa 60-80 AH (680-700 AD)
Denomination: 1 Dirham
Metal: Silver (.900 to .950 fine typical)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

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Overview

A thin, broad silver coin featuring a stylized Sasanian Persian portrait on one side and Kufic Arabic inscriptions on the other side.

Historical significance

These coins represent a transitional period in Islamic history where the early Caliphate adopted the existing Sasanian Persian currency system. Eventually, these were replaced by the post-reform purely epigraphic 'Aniconic' coinage of Abd al-Malik.

Obverse (front)

Stylized bust of the Sasanian king (resembling Khosrow II) facing right, wearing a winged crown. Arabic Kufic inscriptions such as 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) are often added in the margins.

Reverse (back)

A central fire altar with two attendants (a holdover from Zoroastrian Persian design). The margins contain Kufic or Pahlavi script indicating the date and mint.

Estimated value

$100-$300 depending on mint and state of preservation.

What drives this coin's value

Mint location, the specific governor named on the coin, legibility of the Arabic marginal inscriptions, and overall centering/strike quality.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine (XF) - Sharp details on the portrait and distinct lettering with minimal wear.

Mintage & rarity

Relatively common for early Islamic coinage, though specific mint/date combinations can be quite rare.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for 'casting bubbles' or seams on the edge which indicate fakes. Authentic coins are struck on thin planchets and show sharp, albeit primitive, detail.

Notable varieties & errors

Variations include different governors' names and unique Islamic phrases in the outer margins.

Similar coins

Purely Sasanian Dirhams (which lack the 'Bismillah' and Arabic script) and later pure-epigraphic Umayyad Dirhams (which lack the portrait).

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges; silver is soft and prone to scratches. Store in non-PVC flips or acid-free holders. Do not clean or polish as it destroys numismatic value.