This a dated Arab-Sassanian coins assigned to Anti-Umayyad Caliph of Mecca, Abdullah b. Al Zubayr. This coin was struck during the era of Caliph Abdul Malik on Yazdgird III silver drachm. The date on this coin shows regnal year 56. All legends on both sides of this coin were inscribed in Pahlawi except the Arabic verse on the lower right margin on the obverse, بسم الله
Thing to note on this coin, the Muslim kept the Sasanian ruler name and title with the exception of adding the word Bismillah on the margin. The usage of sasanian dirhams continued till the reign of Ummayad. However during the rule of Muawiya. the Sasanian ruler names were removed and replaced with the name of Governors in Pahlawi script.
Yazdegerd III, (died 651, Merv, Sāsānian Empire) the last king of the Sāsānian dynasty (reigned 632–651), the son of Shahryār and a grandson of Khosrow II. During Caliph Umar reign, he invited Yazdgird III into Islam however he refused. When Sasanian Empire fell, Yazdgird III fled to the east and was murdered by a robber in 651CE.
Because the Darabjird mint in southern Persia retained the solar Yazdegerd era calendar (calculated from the accession of Yazdegerd III in 632 CE), YE 56 corresponds directly to AH 67–68 / 687–688 CE. This was during the Second Islamic Civil War (Second Fitna), when 'Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr claimed the caliphate in Mecca and minted silver drachms across Fars and Kerman. He was notably the first rival ruler to style himself as Amīr al-Mu'minīn ("Commander of the Faithful") on coinage.
‘Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr (624–692 CE / 1–73 AH) was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a central political and military figure in early Islamic history. He was the first Muslim child born to the Emigrants (Muhajirun) in Medina after the Hijrah, which gave him immense prestige among early Muslims.
Why He Is a Prominent Figure in Islamic History
Leader of the Counter-Caliphate: During the Second Islamic Civil War (Second Fitna), he refused to swear allegiance to Yazid I and later proclaimed himself Caliph in Mecca in 683 CE (64 AH).
Control of the Empire: His caliphate was recognized across major regions of the Islamic world, including the Hijaz (Mecca and Medina), Iraq, Egypt, and parts of Syria and Persia, making him the chief rival to the Umayyad dynasty for nearly a decade.
Administrative & Numismatic Innovations: He was the first rival ruler to style himself as Amīr al-Mu'minīn ("Commander of the Faithful") on silver coinage, integrating Islamic religious legends alongside traditional Persian motifs.
Reconstruction of the Kaaba: In 684 CE, following damage sustained during an Umayyad siege, he rebuilt the Kaaba upon what he believed to be its original Abrahamic foundations, including the Hatim area within its structure (later restored to its original shape by the Umayyads).
Symbol of Early Political Opposition: His martyrdom in 692 CE during the siege of Mecca by al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf marked the defeat of early Sahabah-led resistance to Umayyad dynastic rule and consolidated Umayyad control across the empire.
‘Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr was not only considered the Caliph based in Mecca, but he was at the absolute peak of his power and territorial influence across the Islamic world.
His Status in 687–688 CE (YE 56)
Based in Mecca as the Caliph:
Mecca served as Ibn al-Zubayr’s capital and sanctuary (haram). He governed from the holy city, where he had taken the oath of allegiance (bay'ah) as Caliph in late 683 CE (64 AH) following the death of Yazid I.
Peak Territorial Control:
By 687–688 CE, his authority was recognized far beyond Mecca and the Hijaz. His counter-caliphate controlled:
The Hijaz (Mecca and Medina)
Iraq (Kufa and Basra)
Egypt
Persia / Fars & Kerman (where this coin was minted at Darabjird)
Parts of Syria and Yemen
Control over Persia and the Minting of this Coin:
In 687 CE (AH 67), Ibn al-Zubayr's brother and governor in Iraq, Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, successfully defeated the rebellion of al-Mukhtar in Kufa, consolidating Zubayrid control over Iraq and the eastern provinces of Persia. The Darabjird mint in Fars was under Zubayrid administration at this exact time, issuing silver drachms bearing Ibn al-Zubayr’s title as amīr-i -wurrishnikān (Pahlavi for "Commander of the Faithful") to assert his caliphal authority over the realm.
The Umayyad Context:
During this exact year, the Umayyad caliph 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan was confined mainly to Syria and Palestine, working to stabilize his rule before launching his offensive to retake Iraq and Mecca years later. Thus, in 687–688 CE, Ibn al-Zubayr was widely recognized across the majority of Islamic territories as the legitimate Caliph.
Coin Type: Arab-Sasanian Silver Drachm (Dirham)
Issuer: 'Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr (r. 680–692 CE / AH 60–73)
Mint: Darabjird (Pahlavi mint mark: DA / DAP)
Date: YE 56 (687–688 CE / AH 67–68)
Obverse (Front)
Central Image: Sasanian-style right-facing bust of King Khosrau II, wearing an elaborate royal crown adorned with two wings and topped with a star and crescent.
Left Field (Behind Head): Pahlavi inscription reading GDH (xwarrah), meaning "May royal glory increase".
Right Field (In Front of Face): Pahlavi inscription reading apdwla-i zubiran amīr-i -wurrishnikān ('Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, Commander of the Faithful).
Margin / Border: Double concentric dotted borders accented with four star-and-crescent motifs at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions.
Marginal Legend: In the lower-right margin (around 4 to 5 o'clock position), the Kufic Arabic phrase bism Allāh (بسم الله - "In the name of Allah") is clearly inscribed.
Reverse (Back)
Central Image: Traditional Zoroastrian Fire Altar (Atar) with active flames, flanked on either side by two standing guardians or attendants facing inward, holding staffs or swords.
Upper Field: A star to the left and a crescent moon to the right of the altar flames.
Left Field: Date in Pahlavi script reading shashpanjāh (56 for YE 56).
Right Field: Mint mark in Pahlavi script reading DA or DAP (denoting the Darabjird mint in Fars).
Margin / Border: Triple concentric dotted border, decorated at the four cardinal points with star-and-crescent symbols.
No comments:
Post a Comment