Arab-Ephthalite silver drachm of Yazid b. al-Muhallab, Anbir 84h
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
84h
This Arab-Ephthalite drachm, struck in Anbir in 84 AH, is a significant example of Arab-Sasanian coinage. The obverse depicts a Sasanian-style bust wearing a helmet with a distinctive 'weather-vane' crest, accompanied by Arabic inscriptions identifying the governor, Yazid b. al-Muhallab, and including the 'bismillah' formula.
The reverse features a standing armored warrior holding a spear and a sheathed sword, interpreted as an early depiction of a Muslim commander in chain mail. This side includes Pahlawi text indicating the mint and date, alongside Ephthalite and Arabic legends, the latter recording that the tax was struck in Juzjan. The coin is notable for its naturalistic military imagery, which deviates from the standard Sasanian prototypes of the era.
The piece weighs 3.04 grams and bears an Ephthalite countermark on the obverse margin.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 3.04g
Technical characteristics
- Era
- Arab-Sasanian
- Mint
- Anbir
- Denomination
- Drachm
Design
- Obverse
- Sasanian style bust right, wearing helmet with weather-vane crest, Arabic inscription naming Yazid b. al-Muhallab
- Reverse
- Standing figure in chain mail armor holding spear and sword, Pahlawi and Arabic inscriptions
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.