Afghanistan Gold Coin Ghaznavid Dinar 420 AH / 1029 AD Abu'l Qasim ibn Sebuktekin Mahmud
Description: A gold coin from Mahmud (Abu'l Qasim ibn Sebuktekin), who ruled Ghazna in current day Afghanistan during the period 389-421 AH (999-1030 AD) with the title Yamin al-Dawla wa Amin al-Mella given to him by the Abbasid Caliph al-Qadir. The coin shows the name of the ruler as Abu'i Qasim. The date and mint are on the inner margin of the obverse and can be identified with difficulty as the coin being struck in Nishabur in 420 AH. Please carefully review the scans presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Additional Information: The Ghaznavids were originally Turkish slaves of the Samanids and usurped their masters in the 4th century. They established their rule in Southeastern Afghanistan around Ghazna. Mahmmoud or Mahmud was one of the most powerful rulers of the dynasty and has invaded current day Pakistan and parts of India ruled over them. The Ghaznavid state was centered in Ghazna their capital, a city in present Afghanistan. The dynasty was founded by Sebuktekin or Sebuktigin upon his succession to rule of territories centered around the city of Ghazna from his father-in-law, Alp Tigin, a break-away ex-general of the Samanid sultans. Sebuktigin's son, Shah Mahmoud, expanded the empire in the region that stretched from the Oxus river to the Indus Valley and the Indian Ocean; and in the west it reached Rayy and Hamadan in current day Iran. Under the reign of Mas'ud I it experienced major territorial losses. It lost its western territories to the Seljuqs in the Battle of Dandanaqan resulting in a restriction of its holdings to what is now Afghanistan, as well as Balochistan and the Punjab. In 1151, Sultan Bahram Shah lost Ghazna to Ala'uddin Hussain of Ghor and the capital was moved to Lahore until its subsequent capture by the Ghurids in 1186.
Date: 420 AH or 1029 AD.
Mint: Nishapur.
Size and Weight: This is a Dinar, weighs 2.5 grams (lower than usual) and is ~23 mm in diameter (larger than usual). References: It is Album #1606.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a good fine or better. The coin itself is much better than the scan shows with a well centered strike. However, the coin has what I would characterize as difficult to read calligraphy, which was the norm with many of the Ghaznavid coins. It is also of lower weight than normal and has a wider flan that normal. It also has areas of strike weakness. Be that as it may, it is a very nice coin which will make a good addition to your collection. Please view the scan to appreciate the condition and beauty of the coin.
