Civic copper of Erivan / jumping watchdog

[saro]

This is an unusual animal on a civic copper : a jumping dog with tail in plume and collar.
It reminds me the mosaïc at the entrance of the "house of the tragic poet" at Pompei : "cave canem" / "beware of the dog"....

" ضرب ایروان  " "zarb Erivan" 8,2g / 19mm ; struck on a folded flan , no date visible.

[Figleaf]

Since there are a number of hunting scenes on these coins, a dog would certainly be a possibility. While I don't know all that many dogs, most will act up only when there is someone at home and run scared and hide for people (not cats) when alone in the garden. Perhaps that would fit in with tragic poetry?

Peter

[saro]

I think this one is running after the postman 

[saro]

This other coin also shows a dog.
it's an afghan  copper of Ahmadshahi (Qandahar) that I've had for a long time; the script is similar to Valentine n°64/p.179 (1227 AH) with a lion.
This one looks better like a dog and a digit 7 could be present at 9 o'clock ?
4,25g / thickness :1-1,5mm.
I am not 100% confident about its authenticity even if it looks ok 

[Figleaf]

Maybe Afghan and Iranian die cutters weren't overly concerned by anatomic correctness, so why not a dog? The tail is long enough for the dog to be used as a Roomba, though More important, these are really good fun coins, reflecting the fiercely independent spirit of the region at this time.

Peter