a r a b - s a s a n i a n
[o r  e a r l y   m u s l i m]
c o i n a g e


r e f e r e n c e s


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Dating Systems:
AH = Hijri [year 1 = 622/3 AD]
YE = Yazdgard Era [year 1 = 632/3 AD]
PYE = Post-Yazdgard Era [year 1 = 652/3 AD]

| AH to YE and AD date conversion table |
| YE to AH, AD and PYE date conversion table |



Khusro II (590 - 628 AD)
AR Drachm
Mint: AW
Regnal year: 13
32 x 31 mm.
3.79 gm.
Göbl SN IIIa/2
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=2h
Obverse: Countermark 56; 'pd in margin.
Reverse:


Khusro II imitation (?)
AR Drachm
619/20 AD
Mint: ART
Regnal year: 30
Countermarks: Gobl 3/c v., 59
31 x 30 mm.
3.22 gm.
Gobl SN II/3; Mochiri ENIS II -
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Countermarks 3/c v. and 59. Possible imitation.
Reverse:


Khusro II (590 - 628 AD)
AR Drachm
Mint: AY
Regnal year: 30
32 mm.
4.01 gm.
Göbl SN IIIb/2
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Countermark 56.
Reverse:


Khusro II (590 - 628 AD)
AR Drachm
Mint: WYHC
Regnal year: 33
34 x 32 mm.
3.95 gm.
Göbl SN IIIb/2
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=8h
Obverse: Countermark 14 (x2)
Reverse:


Khusro II (590 - 628 AD)
AR Drachm
624/5 AD or later
Mint: AW
Regnal year: 35
28 x 29 mm.
2.78 gm. (clipped)
Mochiri ENIS II 1258-1263
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Type 11 countermark; APD in margin.
Reverse:
Note: Imitation (?)


Khusro II (590 - 628 AD)
AR Drachm
Mint: AHM
Regnal year: 37
30 mm.
3.55 gm.
Göbl SN IIIb/2
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Countermark 1 (?)
Reverse: No test scrape.


Khusro IV (?)
AR Drachm
631 (?) AD
Mint: AW
Regnal year: 1 (?)
Countermark: Gobl 33a var.
31 x 29 mm.
3.52 gm.
Gobl SN - type; Mochiri ENIS II -
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=2h
Obverse: Countermark at 2h (Gobl 33a var.)
Reverse:
Note: 3 pellets at 7h (post year 35 obverse; see Mochiri ENIS II 1262-1263)


Yazdgard III
AR Drachm
638 AD
Mint: NAL
Regnal year: 7
28 mm.
2.77 gm. [clipped/chipped]
Tyler-Smith 3/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: 'Senmerv' countermark in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.


Yazdgard III
AR Drachm
651 AD
Mint: SK
Regnal year: 20
30 mm.
2.85 gm. [clipped?]
Tyler-Smith 11/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: 'Senmerv' countermark in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 3rd quadrant.


Yazdgard III (632 - 651 AD)
AR Drachm
660 (?) AD
Mint: GLM
Regnal year: 29
32 x 30 mm.
3.89 gm.
Gobl SN II/2
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse:
Reverse:
Note: This may be an imitation. Courtesy Robert W. Schaaf collection.

Countermarked Sasanian Coins
of the Arab Governors (?)
These coins may have been countermarked by the Umayyad Arab governors, Hephthalites or Turks (circa 670 - 700 AD)

Host Coin of Khusro II - Senmurv in 4th quadrant


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: MY
Regnal year: 32 [621 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 3v.
33 mm.
4.02 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 3v. (position 10h)), right in 4th quadrant.
Reverse: No test scrape.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: NAR
Regnal year: 26 [615 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 1v.
33 x 32 mm.
4.04 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 1v. (position 10h)), right in 4th quadrant.
Reverse: No test scrape.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: GW
Regnal year: 35 [624 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 1 and 7v.
33 mm.
3.56 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 1 (position 11h)), right in 4th quadrant; Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 7v. (position 9h)), right in 4th quadrant. The Bactrian (?) inscription similar to Gobl Hunnen Countermark 38 types. 'APD' in margin.
Reverse: No test scrape.
Note: Unusual reverse style. Crescent and star that normally would be at 9h moved significantly higher; the Pahlavi 'G' in GW written like a 'B.'


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: ShY
Regnal year: 36 [625 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 3v., 107v., 56v., 59v.
32 mm.
3.53 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head with die break (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 3v. (position 10h)), right in 4th quadrant; smaller Senmurv head (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 107v. (position 9h)), right in 4th quadrant; Tamgha (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 56v. (position 12h)) in 1st quadrant; Bactrian word (?) (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 59v. (position 10h?)) in 2nd quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 2nd quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: AY
Regnal year: 31 [620 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 3v., 38, 38
32 x 33 mm.
3.85 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Gobl Hunnen Countermark 3v. (Senmurv) in 4th quadrant; Countermark 38 (Bactrian word) in both 1st and 3rd quadrants.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head with die break (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 3v. (position 10h)), right in 4th quadrant; Bactrian word (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 38 (position 2h)) in 1st quadrant and again (but variant) in 3rd (position 1h).
Reverse: No test scrape.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: RD
Regnal year: 25 [614 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 3, 40v.
32 x 30 mm.
3.88 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 3 (position 10h)), right in 4th quadrant; inscription with tamgha (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 40 type (position 2h)), in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: No test scrape.
Note: Courtesy Alexander Akin collection.

Host Coin of Hormazd V or VI - Senmurv in 4th quadrant


AR Drachm (of Hormazd V or VI (631 - 632 AD))
Mint: MY
Regnal year: 2 [631 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 3 type and 11/Bv.
29 mm.
3.18 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN I/1 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=8h
Obverse: Large Senmurv head (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 3 type (position 10h)), right in 4th quadrant; small Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/Bv. (position 6h)), left in 2nd quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 2nd quadrant; type 3 countermark struck OVER test scrape.
Note: Unusual to have both type 3 and 11 countermarks on the same coin; very unusual to have a countermark in the 2nd quadrant. Coin was probably clipped after striking of the type 3 mark.

Host Coin of Khusro I - Senmurv in 3rd quadrant


AR Drachm (of Khusro I (531 - 579 AD))
Mint: RD
Regnal year: 25 [555 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11 type
27 x 28 mm.
3.24 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN II/2 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11 type (position 1h)), left in 3rd quadrant, breaking border.
Reverse: Test scrape in 1st quadrant; countermark struck OVER test scrape.
Note: Unusual to have type 11 countermark in 3rd quadrant.

Host Coin of Hormazd IV - Senmurv in 1st quadrant


AR Drachm (of Hormazd (579 - 590 AD))
Mint: AHM
Regnal year: 10 [588 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 10
31 x 30 mm.
3.36 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN I/1 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 10 (position 1h)), right in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 1st quadrant.


Hormazd IV (579 - 590 AD)
AR Drachm
Mint: YZ
Regnal year: 7
29 x 28 mm.
3.53 gm.
Göbl SN I/1
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Countermark 10.
Reverse:

Host Coin of Khusro II - Senmurv in 1st quadrant


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: AY
Regnal year: 3 [592 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 10
27 x 28 mm.
3.20 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN II/2 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 10 (position 2h)), right, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Countermark struck over test scrape in 3rd quadrant.
Note: Courtesy Alexander Akin collection.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: ShY
Regnal year: 24 [613 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 10v.
30 mm.
3.52 gm.
Gobl SN IIIa/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 10v. (position 5h)), right with star (?) above, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: BN
Regnal year: 37 [626 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 10
32 x 31 mm.
4.05 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 10 (position 8h)), right, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 1st quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: MY
Regnal year: 21 (?) [610 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11 type
27 x 28 mm.
2.64 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11 type (position 3h)), left, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.
Note: Courtesy Alexander Akin collection.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: WYHC
Regnal year: 33 [622 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11 type
29 mm.
3.09 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11 type), left, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 2nd quadrant.
Note: Courtesy Alexander Akin collection.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: AW
Regnal year: 15 [604 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/Cv.
30 mm.
3.12 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/Cv. (position 6h)), left, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: ST
Regnal year: 35 [624 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/D
31 mm.
3.89 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/D (Senmurv) in 1st quadrant.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/D (position 10h)), left with cross made out of pellets, below, and star (?) behind, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 2nd quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: PR
Regnal year: 35 [624 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/Dv.
30 mm.
2.80 gm.
Gobl SN II/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/Dv. (position 11h)), left with cross made out of pellets, below, and star (?) behind, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.
Note: Very unusual style; very low weight. This may be an imitation or an Arab-Sasanian issue.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: YZ
Regnal year: 30 [619 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/Gv.
31 mm.
3.58 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Crescent containing cone (not really a star) in right field. Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/Gv. (position 10h)), left, holding string of 5 pearls in mouth; stars or letters (?) in three corners (not in lower right), in 1st quadrant. Unusual square cartouche.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.
Note: This looks like a phony countermark.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: ShY
Regnal year: 13 [602 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/H
29 mm.
3.31 gm. (clipped (?))
Gobl SN IIIa/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/H (position 1h)), left, in 1st quadrant. 'APD' in margin.
Reverse: Test scrape in 3rd quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (?) (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: WYH
Regnal year: 35 (?) [624 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/Hv.
29 mm.
2.79 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/Hv. (position 3h)), left, holding pearls in mouth; pellet above, anulet below, in 1st quadrant. 'APD' in margin.
Reverse: Test scrape in 3rd quadrant. Left-handed attendant on left.
Note: The host coin may be an imitation or an Arab issue.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: GD
Regnal year: 3 [592 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/K
28 mm.
3.10 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN II/2 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/K (position 11h)), left in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 2nd quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: BBA
Regnal year: 37 [626 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11/Kv.
30 mm.
3.25 gm. (clipped (?))
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11/Kv. (position 1h)), left, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 1st quadrant.
Note: Unusual style typical for BBA during this period.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: YZ
Regnal year: 35 [624 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11 type
29 x 28 mm.
2.96 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11 type (position 12h)), left, holding pearls in mouth; inside of double border (!).
Reverse: Test scrape in 3rd quadrant.
Note: Very unusual to have countermark within borders.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: AHM
Regnal year: 37 [626 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 11 type
30 x 29 mm.
3.01 gm. (clipped)
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Senmurv (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 11 type (position 12h)), right, in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Test scrape in 4th quadrant.

Host Coin of Khusro II - Other types


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: AHM
Date: RY 33
28 x 25 mm.
2.94 gm. [clipped]
SICA Vol. I, -
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=9h
Obverse: Countermarks: 14, 52, xxx.
Reverse:


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: ST
Regnal year: 26 [615 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 14v., 39
32 mm.
3.95 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type; Mitchiner ACW 1406v.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Tamgha/Solar symbol (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 14v. (position 1h)) with pellet below in 3rd quadrant and Bactrian word 'CLOGO' (?) (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 39 (position 2h)) with tamgha or letter above in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: No test scrape.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: ShY
Regnal year: 25 [614 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 56
31 mm.
4.05 gm.
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type; Mitchiner ACW 1402v.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Tamgha (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 56 (position 2h)), in 1st quadrant with unusual set of three small scrapes, above. 'APD' in margin.
Reverse: Very small test scrape in 2nd quadrant.


AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Mint: RD
Regnal year: 25 [614 AD]
Countermarks: Gobl 62
32 x 30 mm.
3.74 gm. (clipped (?))
Gobl SN IIIb/3 type
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Tamgha (Gobl Hunnen Countermark 62 (position 11h)), in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: No test scrape.


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