Triton XXI, Lot: 945. Estimate $1500. Sold for $4500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate. temp. 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. AH 65-86 / AD 685-705. AR Drachm (33mm, 3.77 g, 9h). Arab-Hephthalite type. Issue of “Gorigo Shah”. ANBYR (Anbir [in Juzjan]) mint. Dated AH 68 in Pahlavi (AD 687/8). Crowned Sasanian-style bust right; GDH monogram and ’pzwt’ in Pahlavi to left, ζολοoo γωζoγoυo in two lines in Bactrian to right; double border, star-in-crescents in margin; Hunnic tamgha, bismillah and rabbi in Arabic, GDH monogram and ’pzwt in Pahlavi in outer margin; triple pellets flanking lowest star-in-crescent / Fire altar with ribbons and attendants; star and crescent flanking flames; ’nbyr (mint) in Pahlavi) to left; hštšst (AH date) in Pahlavi to right; in outer margin, γοριγο ροοηο in Bactrian and ομβιρο in Bactrian above, ’pzwt’ in Pahlavi and GDH monogram below; two pellets flanking lowest star-in-crescent. SICA I 7-9; Walker, Arab-Sasanian, 247; Album 90; ICV 93. EF, lightly toned. Extremely rare.

One of the first Islamic coins of Arab-Sasanian type to mention a local governor, this coin calls him by his title – ζολοoo γωζoγoυo (”the zolo of Juzjan”) – written in Bactrian. The date, if accurate, would place this series in the years AH 68-69, but the dates may have been copied from earlier coins, placing this type several years later.