'Uthman
Caliph, 644 - 656 AD

Silver Drachm, 33 mm.
Obverse:  Head of Yezdigird III, the defeated Sassanian emperor.  Legends in Pahlavi.  In the margin, there is an Arabic inscription, "In the name of Allah"
Reverse:  Fire Altar flanked by two attendants.  Dated Year 20 of the reign of Yezdigird III.
The above is considered the first Islamic coin.  It is copy of the final coin of the fallen Sassanian Empire, with the addition of the Arabic inscription to the margin on the obverse.  These were first produced in 651 AD.

The Four Rashidun, or "Rightly-Guided" Caliphs were those rulers who came to power in the thirty years immediately following the death of the prophet Mohammad.  The period of their rule is considered the golden age of Islam.

'Uthman was among Mohammad's first converts.  He was elected the third caliph following the murder of 'Umar, and in preference to 'Ali.  His rule was not well organized, and was troubled by disagreements concerning the division of the tremendous gains made in the Muslim conquests, as well as by conflict over the production and distribution of the definitive version of the Koran.  A revolt led to his murder and 'Ali was proclaimed caliph.  As part of the continuing battle over successesion, 'Ali was murdered a few years later by a breakaway group of his own followers, bringing the period of the Four Rashidun to an end.

The continuing struggle between the supporters of 'Uthman and those of 'Ali, known later as 'Alids or Shi'ites, produced profound effects on the history of Islam including the division into Sunni and Shi'ite sects which continues to this day.

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