Abbasid Gold Dinar Islamic Coin Madinat al-Salam Al-Rashid 182 AH al-Amin Heir
Description: Gold Dinar from the time of Harun al-Rashid the Caliph mentioned in the famous Arabian nights stories (1001 nights). Harun al-Rashid ruled the Muslim empire in the period 170-193 AH (786 - 809 AD). Al-Rashid is the fifth caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. His full name being Abu Jafar Harun al-Mahdi. This is a dinar weighs 4.16 grams and is is ~19 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 182 AH and is presumed to have been minted in Madinat al-Salam or current day Baghdad the capital of current day Iraq. The coin is anonymous for the ruler, but cites al-Amin Mohammad as the son of the caliph. The obverse of the coin has the words “La Illaha ella Allah, Wahduh la Sharik Lah" in the center with the legend Muhammad Rasul Allah, arsaluh bil huda wa din al haq liazharuh 'al al din kulh" along the edge. The reverse has the words “Muhammad Rasul Allah" in the center with the legend “Bi Issm Allah Duriba haza al-dinar sanat ethnain wa thamanin wa ma'a” along the edge and a second and inner legend saying "Mema Amer Beh Al-Amir Al-Amin Mohammed Bin Amir al-Mu'minin" indicating the coin was struck in Madinat al-Salam as suggested by al-Ush. The coin is graded About Uncirculated (AU 50) by NGC and comes in a plastic holder so labeled. A definite quality coin. Please carefully review the images presented as they part and parcel of our description.
Date: 182 AH or 798 AD.
Mint: Madinat al-Salam or current day Baghdad the capital of current day Iraq.
Size and Weight: This is a dirham weighs ~4.16 grams and is ~19 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #218.3, it is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as#1095 and it is Wilkes 382.
Condition: The coin is graded About Uncirculated or AU 50 by NGC and comes in a plastic holder so labeled. The coin is nice, has great eye appeal and is very readable. The coin has wear to the high points but has no losses. The coin also has obvious scratches in the field on both obverse and reverse, which can be seen in the photos. Be that as it may the coin is great looking and would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos show with very well defined and legible calligraphy. A definite quality coin. Please see photos for additional condition information.
Historic Perspective: Abbasid is an Arabic ruling dynasty, originally based in Madinat al-Salam (current day Baghdad) that expanded the Muslim empire and lasted from 750 Ad to 1258 AD. It was named for al-Abbas (566?-652), paternal uncle of the prophet Muhammad. ). Al-Safah leaded the revolt against the Umayyad established and became the first Abbasid Caliph upon the overthrow of the Umayyad caliph in 132 AH / 749 AD. During the first century of the Abbasid rule the empire experienced a time of unprecedented cultural, artistic and economic development, particularly during the reigns of Harun al-Rashid (786-809) and his son al-Ma’mun (813-833).
