Arab-Sasanian

A 7th-century Coin

This coin was minted in the 7th century in Bishapur, Iran. On the obverse, bust of Sasanian king (Khosrow II) to right. to left, behind the head in Middle Persian, Pahlawi script AFZUT / GD: “may his kingship increase.” to right, in front of the face in Arabic script al-hajjaj ibn / yusuf [the governor of Iraq]; along the margins in Arabic: “praise be to God.”

On the reverse: Sasanian fire altar raised on three steps with an attendant priest on either side standing facing, at the top of the flames rising from the altar, on the left a small star and on the right a small crescent to left downwards, the Pahlavi date HShTAT (80) on right BISH, the Pahlavi abbreviation for Bishapur all enclosed within a triple circle.

A 7th-century Coin (Caliph Orans)

This coin was minted in the 7th century in Kufa, Iraq. On the obverse, in the field: bust of Sasanian monarch (Khosrow II) to right. to left, behind head in Middle Persian, Pahlavi script AFZUT / GDH “may his kingship increase” to right in front of face in Pahlavi script BSYR Y MRWANAN, [the governor of Iraq] Bishr b. Marwan; along the margins in Arabic: “in the name of God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

On the reverse: three standing bearded figures, the central one facing to the front with hands raised in prayer or supplication, the two flanking figures also facing front but with hands folded in respect, their heads turned towards the central figure. to right downwards in Pahlavi script the mint name AKWLA, to left downwards the Pahlavi date 75.