ISLAMIQUE, Arabe sassanide. Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan. Silver Drachm, Darabjird mint - AH 43 (Sans Prix de Réserve)

ISLAMIC, Arab Sasanian time of Mu'awiya I ibn Abi Sufyan, AH 41-60 / AD 661-680, AR Drachm citing Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan (AH 44-54 = AD 665-673), DA (Darabjird), AH 43 = AD 663/4 (frozen year, struck circa AH 52-54). Obv: Draped bust resembling Khosrau II to right, wearing elaborate mural crown; behind head, AFZUT GDH ('may his kingship increase' in Pahlawi); before head, ZYYAT Y / ABWSPYYAN ('Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, 'bism Allah' ('In the name of Allah' in Arabic) and three pellets to left and right of one star-in-crescent. Rev. Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, date; to right, DA. Reference A-8

Weight: 3.99 grams
Diameter: 32 mm

Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan, also known as Ziyad ibn Abihi ("Ziyad son of his father"), was a significant figure in early Islamic history, particularly noted for his political and administrative roles during the Umayyad Caliphate.
Born around 622 AD to a slave woman named Sumayya, Ziyad's paternity was initially uncertain, leading to his designation as Ziyad ibn Abihi. However, his status was later legitimized when Mu'awiya I, the first Umayyad Caliph, recognized him as the son of Abu Sufyan. This recognition, known as "tabi'at Ziyad," was a strategic move by Mu'awiya to secure Ziyad's loyalty and integrate him into the Umayyad family.
Ziyad's political career began under Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, who appointed him as the governor of Fars. During his tenure, Ziyad demonstrated his administrative skills and ability to maintain order. Following Ali (AS) assassination, Mu'awiya became Caliph and appointed Ziyad as the governor of Basra and later Kufa, two critical provinces in the Islamic empire. Ziyad's governance was marked by strict and efficient administration, and he played a crucial role in suppressing dissent and rebellion in Iraq, thereby consolidating Umayyad control over the region.
Despite his effectiveness, Ziyad remains a controversial figure. His harsh methods and the manner of his recognition by Mu'awiya sparked considerable debate among historians and contemporaries. Nevertheless, his contributions to the Umayyad administration were significant. He introduced several administrative reforms, including improved tax collection systems and public order measures, setting a precedent for subsequent Umayyad administrators.
Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan's life and career highlight the complexities of early Islamic politics and the challenges of governing a rapidly expanding empire. His role was crucial in stabilizing the early Umayyad Caliphate, and his legacy continued to influence the administrative policies of the dynasty.