Arab-Sasanian drachm of Bishr b. Marwan, governor of Kufa, 73h
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
73h
This Arab-Sasanian silver drachm represents an important transitional type in Islamic numismatic history, struck at the mint of Aqola (near Kufa) in 73h during the governorship of Bishr b.
Marwan. It reflects the gradual adoption of Arabic as the empire's official language while retaining elements of the established Sasanian coinage tradition. The obverse features a Sasanian-style bust with the Islamic profession of faith (bismillah, la ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu Muhammad rasul Allah) inscribed in the margin, and the date written in Arabic script: 'sanat thalath wa saba‘in' placed before the bust. The reverse displays the traditional Sasanian fire altar flanked by two attendants, but with unique modifications to the legends.
The mint-signature 'akwla' is positioned to the left, while the right side features a Pahlawi monogram 'bbm', interpreted as an abbreviation for Bishr b. Marwan. The coin weighs 3.19g and serves as a hybrid specimen that marks the shift toward a unified, pan-Islamic coinage system that replaced regional governor-specific issues.
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
- 3.19g
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Aqola (Kufa)
- Denomination
- Drachm
Design
- Obverse
- Sasanian-style bust with margin inscriptions including the Shahada and date in Arabic
- Reverse
- Fire altar with two attendants, Pahlawi mint-signature 'akwla' to left, 'bbm' monogram to right
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
- Bishr b. Marwan
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.