temp. ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Rashidun Caliph AH 35-40/AD 656-661

Walker B.2; A 4, Extremely Fine

NY (Nihawand) mint. Anonymous Arab-Sasanian Khusro II type with Pahlavi legends, Arabic “bism Allah” added in obverse margin; reverse, fire altar with attendants, mint and date. Rare mint.

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Year 25 of the Yazdigerd Era is equivalent to Year 36 of the Islamic Hijri calendar. Although anonymous, this coin was minted during the reign of the Rashidun caliph ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (AH 35-40/ AD 656-661). Although he was the fourth of the Rashidun caliphs, ‘Ali is considered the first rightful successor of the Prophet Muhammad by Shia Islam. The mint city of Nihawand (modern Nahavand in Hamadan Province, Iran) was the site of the last major confrontation between the Sasanid Persians and the nascent Muslim Caliphate. The battle of Nihawand saw the complete defeat of the Sasanian army and is referred to as the “Victory of Victories” by Arab historians.