ISLAMIC, 'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Mansur, AH 136-158 / AD 754-775. Hemidrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 2.00 g, 3 h), citing the governor of Tabaristan, Umar ibn al-'Ala (AH 154-163 = AD 771-780), Tabaristan, PYE 122 = AH 157 = 773/4. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, 'Umar' in Kufic; in outer margin, APD / NWKW ('excellent' and 'good' in Pahlawi). Rev. Sasanian fire altar set on three steps, flanked by two attendants standing facing; to left, date; to right, mint TPURSTAN ('Tabaristan' in Pahlawi). Album 56. SICA I, 401. Walker, Arab-Sassanian, -. A beautifully toned and well struck example. Good extremely fine.

This type has the name of the governor Umar ibn al-'Ala written in Kufic.