Nice 722 Islamic Coin Abbasid Gold Dinar 155 AH Caliph Al-Mansur Extremely Fine
Description: Gold Dinar from Al-Mansur times (the coin does not mention the name of the ruler but it is inferred from the date of minting), who ruled the Muslim empire in the period 136-158 AH (754 - 775 AD). Al-Mansur is the second caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. His full name being Abu Jafar Abdul Allah al-Mansur. This is a dinar weighs 4.2 grams and is 19 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 155 AH and does not indicate where it was minted (most likely at Madinat al-Salam or Baghdad the capital of current day Iraq). The obverse of the coin has the words "La Illaha ell Allah, Wahduh la Sharik Lah" in the center and the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah, arsaluh bil huda wa din al haq liazharuh 'al al-din kulh walaw karah al mushrikon" along the edge. The reverse shows the date in a circle along the edge. It also has the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah" in the center. Please note the coin is much better than the photos suggest with very well defined and legible calligraphy and a well centered strike. A definite quality coin. Please carefully review the images presented as they part and parcel of our description.
Date: 155 AH or 772 AD.
Mint: Unknown and not indicated in the coin but most likely Madinat al-Salam current day Baghdad the capital of Iraq.
Size and Weight: This is a gold dinar weighs ~4.2 grams and is ~19 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #212; it is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as#1055. It is also listed as 270 and 271 in Lane Poole's Catalogue of Islamic Coins Preserved in the Khedivial Collection in Cairo Egypt (with the point over the word "Rasul" on the reverse).
Condition: I would grade this coin as a good extremely fine or better. The coin has a nice and well centered strike with nice clear and very readable calligraphy and has nice eye appeal. The coin is lightly toned. It shows some wear commensurate with its age and circulated status. The coin has a few minor scratches and some bag marks. However, this is a very nice coin which would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the scan shows. 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-Mamun (813-833).
