Arab-Hephthalite Yazid b. al-Muhallab silver drachm, Anbir 84h
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
84h (Islamic era, 8th century)
This Arab-Hephthalite silver drachm, dating to the year 84 Hijri, is a significant example of a transitional coinage struck under the authority of the governor Yazid b. al-Muhallab at the mint of Anbir.
The obverse features a stylized Sasanian-style royal bust turned to the right, wearing a distinctive helmet with a 'weather-vane' crest, with the name of the governor inscribed in Arabic. The reverse displays a naturalistic, standing armed warrior clad in chain mail, holding a spear in his left hand and resting his right hand on the pommel of a sheathed sword at his waist. This depiction is notable for its detail, including a fitted tunic and greaves.
The coin includes Pahlawi inscriptions for the mint and date, along with Arabic marginal text reading 'bismillah al-a‘zim' and a reference to the jizya tax in Juzjan, complemented by Hephthalite legends. The flan is slightly curved and features countermarks in the margins.
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
- 3.42g
- Material
- silver
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 84h
- Mint
- Anbir
- Type
- drachm
Design
- Obverse
- Sasanian style bust right wearing helmet with weather-vane crest, Arabic inscription naming Yazid b. al-Muhallab and bismillah al-a‘zim, Hephthalite countermarks
- Reverse
- Standing armored figure with helmet holding spear and sword, Pahlawi mint (Anbir) and date, Arabic inscription referencing jizya in Juzjan, Hephthalite legend
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.
- Maker named in listing
- Yazid b. al-Muhallab
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- 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.