ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. Uncertain period (pre-reform), AH 41-77 / AD 661-697. Drachm (Silver, 34 mm, 4.11 g, 3 h), ART (Ardashir-Khurra), (probably not a genuine date), struck circa AH 36-50 = AD 656-670. Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, HWSRWD ('Khosrau' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, either APD / ('excellent' in Pahlawi) or 'lillah' ('for God' in Kufic). Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, date; to right, ART (name of the mint in Pahlawi). Album A6. Beautifully toned. Struck from a slightly worn reverse die, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the collection of J. Knudsen, formed from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, Leu Web Auction 16, 22-24 May 2021, 4311.