Lot 7117

AR Drachm (3.40 g.), Bust in profile view r., wearing Khusro II's crown; a rosette on the king's chest. Circular Bactrian counter stamped legends (C/m 168; ZENO156230) applied on both obverse and reverse on outer border by Phromo Kesaro on host coin of Arab-Sassanian, BySh (Bishapur) AH75, al-Muhallab b Abi Sufra (ca. 75-79/AD694-698) (A-31). "Phromo Kesaro" (= Ceasar of Rome). The "Phromo kesaro" coinage appears to comprise two issues. The first phase (this coin) consists of a Baktrian legend in circular counter stamps applied to a host coin. The great rarity of these coins attests to a brief issue, struck for some urgent reason before full dies could be made. The second phase consists of Sasanian imitations with the same legends engraved in the dies (Göbl 250). (Vondr. - ; Göbl Doc.Em - (250A); ZENO201046' - extremely rare, a/XF for issue