Well, I finally got me an Islamic coin thanks to @John Anthony. The coin is an absolute beauty based on the pictures, and I'm sure once I receive it I will not be dissapointed. I love the beard on the portrait, almost looks like he is smiling showing a full row of teeth. Tabaristan, Umar B. al Ala, 771-780 AD. AR Hemidrachm, 1.84 gm; 24 mm, Tapuistan (Tabaristan) year:127. Phrase "APD" at 4 oclock, Phrase "arun" at 7 oclock; phrases "GDH" and "Apzut" behind the crown; Sasanian style bust imitating Khosrau II right. Fire altar flanked by attendants; Tapuistan, year:12 Reference: H.M. Malek, "The Dabuyid Ispahbads of Tabaristan," AJN 5-6 (1993-4), 42 Unfortunately my money got me less than what i expected. JA will not be throwing in that award winning coin modeling hand along with the coin. I mean, it was in the picture and all. I tried, but even throwing in an extra $20 won't do the trick. What a shame. All kidding aside, I'm happy to be expanding my coin collection to Islamic coins.
Islamic coins become pretty interesting once you look into the history (or even take a college course on it like I did). Here's my collection of early Islamic (minus a couple of bronzes I've yet to photograph): Yazid II, Umayyad Caliphate, Wasit mint (my most recent acquisition - check out the thread here) Al-Mansur, Abbasid Caliphate, Baghdad mint Standing Caliph, AE fals, Umayyad Caliphate, Allepo mint Al-Mahdi, AE fals, Abbasid Caliphate, al-Kufa mint Umayyad Caliphate, AE Fals, Hims mint Umayyad Caliphate, AE fals, Tabariya mint
@John Anthony always has some great coins to offer. Fun to expand your collection of items you don't focus in, or to flesh out some areas. Great catch. I took a serious look at this one, and would had given you some competition. However, I snared another great one. Enjoy it! Great capture! I still have no Islamic coins, and probably won't unless John has a cool one come up sometime.
Did you get the other middle eastern one? I thought about bidding that one up to $120, but decided to let the person have it at $95.00, after all, it's not fair for me to gobble up all the cool coins. Sometimes it's fun to share and see others' reactions and comments on a new purchase they got. This hobby is not just about me getting coins, but also sharing experiences with fellow collectors. That's not to say I won't upbid you next time, but for now I am in a sharing mood.
I feel the same way about the hobby. Other folks reaction and care for the coins are as much fun as my feelings when I capture. No, that auction I finally just passed on. I took a very serious think on it, but decided my collection is BCE and focused on other areas. I usually do not capture Middle East. Yours is an awesome coin that I would have made an exception to purchase. Congrats! I like it a lot.
I really like how the fire altar and attendants are very clear. Scenes of religious practice, implements, temples, etc. interest me greatly even outside of coins. I think you got a great coin! Not the same ruler but my closest... Khusru II...don't have my notes, sorry.
VK, you need an Arab-Bukharan. They are pretty cheap silver coins. A scarcer piece would be the Arab-Sogdian bronze cash. I have only seen three for sale and own one.
The coin arrived today and I have to say that JAs pictures do it no justice. I think if JA had taken a studio picture with black background, like he normally does, there would have been a huge bidding war. I will be photographing this weekend and will post my results here.
Ha a lovely coin and great distraction from the jazzy Peroz Drachm of the same auction. House of Sasan Persia, Amol AR Drachm 27 mm x 4.06 grams The Great Shah of Persia Peroz I 457 -484 AD Obv. Crowned and cuirassed bust right. Stars flanking crown. KAVAT AFZVTV right field. Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants. Ref: SNS type IIIb/1c (pl. 85-86, 99-106); Sunrise 941 Prov. ex Jaz Numismatics
I'm glad you guys like the coins. As far as pics go, occasionally I just run out of time. I have a full-time job and family - coining is just a hobby.
