King in Crooked Crown
- Arab Sasanian half-dirhem coins
- Silver alloy
- Minted in Tabaristan and Bish, Iran
- AH 68–173 (687–789 CE)
- Gift of Adon Gordus, L to R: KM 2009.01.0032, KM 2009.01.0031, KM 2009.01.0033, KM 2009.01.0030, KM 2009.01.0038
The head of a king wearing a large crown fills one side of this coin type; on the reverse, two attendants flank a fire alter, the focus of Zoroastrian prayer. These "Arab Sasanian" coins merge two traditions, as they were made by Persian (Sasanian) artisans shortly after the region was conquered by Arab kings. In addition to often being off-center, some coins had holes punched into them to test their purity.