Beautiful 755 AD Islamic Coin Abbasid Gold Dinar Al-Mansur 138 AH XF++
Description: Gold Dinar from Al-Mansur, 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 gold dinar, weighs ~4.1 grams and is ~19 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 138 AH and does not show a mint name. The obverse of the coin has the words "La Illaha ell Allah, Wahduh la Sharik Lah" in the center and the verse "Muhammad Rasul Allah, arsaluh bil huda wa din al haq liazharuh 'al al din kulh" along the edge. The reverse shows the date of minting in a circle along the edge and has the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah" in the center. Please note the coin is better than the photos suggest with very well defined and legible calligraphy. A definite quality coin. Please carefully review the images presented as they part and parcel of our description.
Date: 138 AH or 755 AD.
Mint: Unknown, which is the norm with these early Abbasid dinars.
Size and Weight: This is a dinar weighs ~4.1 grams and is ~19 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #212, is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as #1036, and is listed in Lane Poole's Catalogue of Islamic Coins Preserved in the Khedivial Collection in Cairo Egypt as #255.
Condition: I would grade this coin as extremely fine or better. The coin has very readable calligraphy with well centered bold strike and some residual original luster. The coin shows some minor wear and has a few scratches in the field all of which can be seen in the photos. Be that as it may the coin is great looking and of the highest quality. It would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos shows 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).
