Islamic Coin Al-Abbasiya North Africa Mint Abbasid Silver Dirham Al-Mahdi 169 AH
Description: Silver Dirham from Al-Mahdi, who ruled the Muslim empire in the period 158-169 AH (775 - 785 AD). Al-Mahdi the third caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. His full name being Abu Abdul Allah al-Mahdi. This is a dirham, weighs ~2.7 grams and is ~25 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 169 AH and the mint as al-Abbasiya in North Africa. The obverse of the coin has the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah Sula Allah" in the center with the word "bekh" above it and the name Yazid below it. The obverse also has the verse "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 name of the mint and the date in a circle along the edge. It also has the words "La Illaha ella Allah, Wahduh la Sharik Lah" in the center. Please note the coin is much better than the scan with difficult to read but still defined and partially legible calligraphy. A nice fine coin to add to your collection. Please carefully review the images presented as they part and parcel of our description.
Date: 169 AH or 786 AD.
Mint: Al-Abbasiya inn North Africa.
Size and weight: This is a dirham weighs ~2.6 grams and is ~25 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #215.2, Wilkes 379, and is not listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a fine or better. The coin has is difficult to read and the calligraphy shows wear. The coin ridges in the flan, which can be seen in the photos. It lightly toned and has a few scratches and minor bag marks in the field and shows wear to the high points, but has no losses. It is badly struck with the calligraphy being flattened and the letters flowing into each other making it hard to read. Be that as it may the coin is still nice, readable, and would make a good addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is better than the photos suggest. Please see scan 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).
Date: 169 AH or 786 AD.
Mint: Al-Abbasiya inn North Africa.
Size and weight: This is a dirham weighs ~2.6 grams and is ~25 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #215.2, Wilkes 379, and is not listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a fine or better. The coin has is difficult to read and the calligraphy shows wear. The coin ridges in the flan, which can be seen in the photos. It lightly toned and has a few scratches and minor bag marks in the field and shows wear to the high points, but has no losses. It is badly struck with the calligraphy being flattened and the letters flowing into each other making it hard to read. Be that as it may the coin is still nice, readable, and would make a good addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is better than the photos suggest. Please see scan 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).
