Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1688. Estimate $150.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARAB-SASANIAN. Dabuyads of Tabaristan. Umar ibn al-Ala. 771-780 AD. AR Hemidrachm (1.91 gm). Dated PYE 125 (776/7 AD). Sasanian style bust imitating Khosrau II right; Arabic marginal legend / Fire altar flanked by attendants; date and mint, fleurs-de-lis in margins. SIC Ashmolean 410; Walker, Arab-Sassanian -; cf. Album 56. Choice EF. Scarce variety. ($150)

From the Bellaria Collection.

The only other Tabaristan hemidrachms showing the lis replacing the typical triple pellets on the reverse are anonymous issues of PYE 142-143 (cf. Walker pl XXVII 16-18).