Mint and Date: Tabaristan mint, year 160 H = 772 CE
Size and Weight: 23mm, 2.0g
Obverse: Crowned bust right.
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants.
Ref: Malek 83.10, p.101, Pl.13; Sylloge of Islamic Coins in the Ashmolean Museum (SICA) 411; Walker, Catalogue of Muhammadan Coins in the British Museum, Vol.1, Arab-Sasanian Coins' ANS 19; Mitchiner, World of Islam 278
Provenance: Barry P. Murphy, Vcoins, August 2004
BW Ref: 001 026 014
"Sa'id bin Da'laj was governor of Tabaristan for the Abbasid Caliph al Mahdi (158-169 H/ 775-785 AD) from 160-162 H (772-779 AD). He had previously been in charge of Basra 158-159 H, but nothing more seems to be known about him.
Your coin is dated 125 PYE (160 H/ 772 AD)
The standard reference for these coins is now 'The Dabuyid Isphabads and early Abbasid governors of Tabaristan: History and numismatics' by H. H. Malek, published by the Royal Numismatic Society (Special Publication No. 39) in 2004.
Your coin is probably Malek 83.10, p.101, Pl.13 (it is a bit difficult to be certain because your coin is slightly double-struck on the obverse, but it is definitely type 83).
The seller's references are a bit out, the correct ones are; - Sylloge of Islamic Coins in the Ashmolean Museum (SICA) 411 (412-3 are 126 PYE/ 161 H) - Walker, Catalogue of Muhammadan Coins in the British Museum, Vol.1, Arab-Sasanian Coins' ANS 19 (comes between 277 and 278: 282 is 127 PYE/ 162 H) - Mitchiner, World of Islam 278 (1382 is a Moroccan gold coin of about 1600 ;))"