I'm very happy with my last coin of this year, an AE Samanid fals of the 10th century that came in today. The Samanid dynasty that reigned in what now is Uzbekistan had a lot of trade with the Vikings in the period 850-950, but this coin is from the downturn of the dynasty. Around the year 1000 AD, their lands were conquered by the Qarakhanids and the Ghaznavids. A rather bloody era, I'm glad I didn't live there and then - but Central-Asian copper coinage of about 1000 AD is, to me, one of the most attractive of the islamic world. You see an intricate six-pointed star at one side and four lines of text in a textual circle at the other side. I can't tell you (yet) what's what, but the reverse central text starts with 'Mohammad rasul', easily recognizable because of the oIo at the beginning (=right side of the line), 'm-h-m'. Struck in Balkh in 368 AD = 978/79 AD. 25.5 mm, 2.33 gr.
That's really interesting how they did that with the script. I tried to learn the basics of Arabic but I just didn't have the interest.
Well, I had the interest, but I was too lazy when I was young. But now I have An Introduction to Arabic Coins and How to Read Them, by the Rev. Richard Plant, that is something. Still - there's a lot of staring, plodding and asking experts for help.
I also find the geometric designs on Central Asian Islamic coins interesting, but find them difficult to collect. My last coin of 2016 is also Central Asian: Chach (modern Tashkent), Trident tamgha region, Tudun Satachari, 7th-8th century AD, AE19. Obv: Bust of Tudun Satachari three-quarter right, wearing crown and necklace; star to right, within circle of large dots. Rev: Sogdian legend stčry tδwn γwβ ('Ruler Tundun Satachari') around trident tamgha. Sh&K #207-212
By the way, in my country it was New Year one and a half hours ago and by now I'm rather bored by all the fireworks that some spotty youths in the neigbourhood are still sparking off. Here are a few nice coins to launch 2017. Pentassarion of the emperor Gordian III (238-244), paired on the obverse with Serapis. Rev. Asclepius with snake. Marcianopolis, 27.5 mm, 13.99 gr. Potin karshapana, Satavahana. Pulumavi of the Deccan (c. 100 AD). Obv. elephant with text Si Mavisa. Rev. Ujjain symbol. 16 mm, 2.1 gr. One of my nicest coins, a Gallic stater of the Suessiones (who lived near Soissons), 1st cent. B.C. It was in my top-10 of 2015 acquisitions. And so to bed in the fair year of 2017 A.D.
Again. Grrr. Now for the very last coin of the old year, and the first of the new: This is a nice coin to say: burn 2016, and let 2017 rise from its pyre! Constans. Siscia, 337-350. AE follis. Obv. Bust to right. Rev. Phoenix on funeral pyre, wreath in beak. FEL TEMP REPARATIO ASIS. Oval coin, 17.5 x 20.5 mm, 3.53 gr.
