AD 787-789 Tabaristan Hemidrachm - Diamond Bust and Fire Altar Silk Road Hoard Silver (NGC MS)

The Silk Road was a 7,000 mile network of trade routes used by merchants to transport a wide variety of luxury goods between China, the West, Africa, and the Middle East, including items such as precious metals, spices, ivory, and of course, silk. The Kingdon of Tabaristan, established along the Caspian Sea's southern shore (currently Northern Iran), was conveniently located along the main branch of the Silk Road, in perfect position to supply travelers with meat, wool, grain and silver.

Tabaristan was one of the last areas of Persia to fall to Muslim conquest, but remained mostly independent. Coinage design continued to be inspired by coins from the preceding Sassanian Empire. The reverse depicts a Sassanian style fire altar with two attendants, symbolizing the use of fire and ash in ritual purification ceremonies. The obverse depicts a diamond shape shielding a bust with a winged headdress.