Antiquities, Islamic, and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Featuring Selections from the Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi Collection
Lot 139:
This rare and historically significant silver dirham was minted under the authority of Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, the governor of Khurasan, by order of Yazid ibn Muawiyah, during the early Islamic period from 673 to 676 A.D. The coin reflects the fascinating blend of Arab and Sassanian influences characteristic of the transitional era following the Muslim conquest of Persia.
The obverse side of the coin features the distinctive portrait of a Sassanian ruler, encircled by Pahlavi inscriptions and adorned with the traditional winged crown, symbolizing the continuity of Persian royal iconography under Islamic rule. The reverse side displays the typical fire altar with attendants, a symbol deeply rooted in Zoroastrian tradition, further underscoring the cultural synthesis of the time.
D: 3cm
Weight: 2g
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