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<p>[QUOTE="medoraman, post: 3608639, member: 26302"]At first glance I bought a couple of coins yesterday many would consider Arab Byzantine. Makes sense, since they imitate Byzantine coins and we all have seen Arab Byzantine issues. However:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]966256[/ATTACH] </p><p>ARAB-SASANIAN. Abay. Ca. AH 72-95 (AD 691-714). AE Pashiz (0.54 g; 19 mm). Bishapur mint. No date. Two facing busts (“Heraclius and son” type), the smaller with three pellets to left and star above, the larger with single pellet to left and pellet-in-crescent above; “May xvarrah increase” in Pahlavi to left, the name “Abay” to right; circle border / Crowned Gopatshah to right; three pellets at end of diadem and at end of tail, pellet between forelegs, Pahlavi letter “P” and star to right, “May Bishapur be prosperous” in Pahlavi around; circle border. Gyselen 8. Nice red-green patina. Choice Good VF. Very Rare.</p><p><br /></p><p>The auction listed it as Arab Sasanian, but I disagree. This is an imitation of a Byzantine coin for Sassanian occupation. The arabs had nothing to do with this coin, that came 20 years later. I would properly call this a Sassanian Byzantine. While at first glance it sure looks like an arab byzantine, the writing is Pahlavi, (Persian). What I love is the reverse, a gopatshah, a winged bull with the head of a man, (a very Persian image).</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]966261[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>While I like this one for the very distinct Persian influence, here is my favorite Sassanian Byzantine I picked up yesterday:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]966264[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>ARAB-SASANIAN, Anonymous. ca. AD 695-710, local AE Unit (1.40 gm; 20 mm), without mint and date. Obv. Facing crowned Byzantine style bust, diadem left & globus cruciger right, traces of Latin legends around. Rev. Normal cross-on-steps, ornate cross left & right. Rev. Two Imperial figures standing facing, holding between them patriarchial cross set up on three steps; traces of 'pzwt in Pahlavi to right; illegible inscription in Pahlavi to left. Gyselen -, Miles -, Album- unpublished. RRRR. Brown patina. Choice Good VF. </p><p><br /></p><p>I am not an expert in these, but am interested. I have seen a few examples of the first coins for sale, but never have seen this coin. I think it is in excellent condition for these.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="medoraman, post: 3608639, member: 26302"]At first glance I bought a couple of coins yesterday many would consider Arab Byzantine. Makes sense, since they imitate Byzantine coins and we all have seen Arab Byzantine issues. However: [ATTACH=full]966256[/ATTACH] ARAB-SASANIAN. Abay. Ca. AH 72-95 (AD 691-714). AE Pashiz (0.54 g; 19 mm). Bishapur mint. No date. Two facing busts (“Heraclius and son” type), the smaller with three pellets to left and star above, the larger with single pellet to left and pellet-in-crescent above; “May xvarrah increase” in Pahlavi to left, the name “Abay” to right; circle border / Crowned Gopatshah to right; three pellets at end of diadem and at end of tail, pellet between forelegs, Pahlavi letter “P” and star to right, “May Bishapur be prosperous” in Pahlavi around; circle border. Gyselen 8. Nice red-green patina. Choice Good VF. Very Rare. The auction listed it as Arab Sasanian, but I disagree. This is an imitation of a Byzantine coin for Sassanian occupation. The arabs had nothing to do with this coin, that came 20 years later. I would properly call this a Sassanian Byzantine. While at first glance it sure looks like an arab byzantine, the writing is Pahlavi, (Persian). What I love is the reverse, a gopatshah, a winged bull with the head of a man, (a very Persian image). [ATTACH=full]966261[/ATTACH] While I like this one for the very distinct Persian influence, here is my favorite Sassanian Byzantine I picked up yesterday: [ATTACH=full]966264[/ATTACH] ARAB-SASANIAN, Anonymous. ca. AD 695-710, local AE Unit (1.40 gm; 20 mm), without mint and date. Obv. Facing crowned Byzantine style bust, diadem left & globus cruciger right, traces of Latin legends around. Rev. Normal cross-on-steps, ornate cross left & right. Rev. Two Imperial figures standing facing, holding between them patriarchial cross set up on three steps; traces of 'pzwt in Pahlavi to right; illegible inscription in Pahlavi to left. Gyselen -, Miles -, Album- unpublished. RRRR. Brown patina. Choice Good VF. I am not an expert in these, but am interested. I have seen a few examples of the first coins for sale, but never have seen this coin. I think it is in excellent condition for these.[/QUOTE]
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