Lot 848: India, Amirs of Multan. Asad. 9th century. AR dramma.

Asad. 9th century. AR dramma (13 mm, 0.44 g). Sharda legend Srimad / (Va)raha / Traces of Arabic legend Lillah Asad at bottom, with three-dot motif above. Goron & Goenka AM2; Album 1504. Rare. Toned. Very fine. 

This first series in occupied Multan had bilingual legends in order to be accepted by the local Hindu population. It also marks a fascinating attempt by the new Arab rulers to invoke Hindu gods to legitimize their rule. 

Asad is the only amir of Multan recorded and dated in contemporary chronicles, for AH 305. 

On this coin he uses the title Srimad Varaha, drawing on the boar avatar of Lord Vishnu. This name is also similar to the powerful Gurjura-Pratihara ruler Bhoja I (836-885 AD), who used the name Adivaraha on his coins. 

A similar specimen sold for $120 in Stephen Album's Auction 28 (lot 2124). 

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 848
• Listing #: 234887
• Closed: Friday, September 28, 2018 6:21:10 PM CT
• Estimate: $100