★ An attractive hemidrachm from Tabaristan ★

ISLAMIC, 'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Rashid, AH 170-193 / AD 786-809. Hemidrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 2.28 g, 10 h), anonymous type, Tabaristan, PYE 142 = AH 177 = AD 793. Crowned and draped Sasanian-style bust to right; behind head, GDH ('kingship' in Pahlawi); before head, 'AFZUT' ('may increase' in Pahlawi); 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 73. SICA I, -. Walker, Arab-Sassanian, RB.11. Beautifully toned. About extremely fine.