Tabaristan Silver Hemidrachm Of Dabuyid Dynasty (7th–8th Century) NGC

This coin originates from the historical region of Tabaristan, which corresponds to what is now northern Iran.

This NGC-certified silver hemidrachm was struck in the region of Tabaristan (modern-day northern Iran) under the Dabuyid dynasty, a Zoroastrian local ruling house that maintained semi-autonomous control following the fall of the Sasanian Empire. These coins were issued between the late 7th and early 8th centuries, during a transitional period following the Arab conquest of Persia.

The Dabuyids, while recognizing nominal Arab authority, retained strong local power and preserved many Sasanian traditions, including religious and artistic symbolism. Their coinage continued to feature Zoroastrian motifs such as the fire altar flanked by attendants—an iconic image inherited from Sasanian coin design. The obverse typically features a stylized bust of the ruler, surrounded by Pahlavi inscriptions, while the reverse displays the sacred fire altar, reinforcing the dynasty’s adherence to Zoroastrianism in the face of rising Islamic influence.

These hemidrachms are small yet historically significant silver coins that offer a glimpse into a complex period of cultural and political transition in Iranian history. The Dabuyid coins stand out for maintaining local identity and religious traditions at a time when many regions were undergoing rapid Islamization and centralization under the Umayyad Caliphate.

Encapsulated and certified by NGC, this silver coin is a fascinating artifact from a resilient Zoroastrian principality that bridged the ancient and Islamic worlds. It is ideal for collectors of Middle Eastern coinage, post-Sasanian history, or religiously symbolic ancient currencies.