Gold Solidus (Umayyad Imperial Image Type, Pre-reform)

This is the first gold coin to bear a Muslim inscription (the kalimah). Obverse: three figures, central figure bearded and larger, all wearing long robes and crowns without a cross, and all holding staffs sumounted by a pellet in their right hand.  Reverse: transformed cross on four steps, 'B' to left, 'I' to right; marginal inscription in Arabic beginning 12:00, bism Allah la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu Muammad rasul Allah.