ARAB-SASANIAN, KHUSRAW II TYPE
Drachm, possibly ‘AKWLA’ (al-Kufa), undated (c. 70s Hijri)
OBVERSE: Bust of Khusraw II to right; before: Muhammad rasul | Allah; in margin: Pahlawi APD
REVERSE Fire-altar with attendants; to left: bismillah; to right: AKWLA (?)
WEIGHT: 3.55g
REFERENCE: cf Sotheby’s, 8 October 1992, lot 1, same dies
CONDITION: Minor graffiti on obverse, about extremely fine and extremely rare
ESTIMATE: £8,000-12,000
NOTE: This is an extraordinary coin in a number of respects. It reverts to pre-Islamic types in retaining the
Pahlawi APD in the obverse margin, which was removed from Arab-Sasanian drachms in favour of an
Islamic legend (such as bismillah) at a very early stage in the evolution of the series. Replacing the name
of Khusraw II with Muhammad rasul Allah is, however, a much later feature which is also found on
drachms of Dimashq 72h (see lot 20 above). Furthermore, the coin is undated and bears the legend bismillah
on the reverse where the date would normally be placed. The mint-name is not clearly engraved
but seems closest to AKWLA (Aqola, near Kufa), although other readings such as AYR are also possible.
Taken together, these features suggest that the coin is likely to be an unofficial or semi-official issue produced
during the 70s Hijri, or conceivably an experimental piece struck during the transition from Arab-
Sasanian to post-Reform types.
