Islamic Coin al-Basra Iraq Abbasid Silver Dirham Al-Mansur 141 AH/758 AD F++
Description: Silver Dirham 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 dirham, weighs ~2.9 grams and is slightly off round measuring 25.5x26 mm. The coin shows the date of minting as 141 AH and the mint as al-Basrah or al-Basra in current day Iraq. The obverse of the coin has the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah" in the center and along the edge the verse "Muhammad Rasul Allah, arsaluh bil huda wa din al haq liazharuh 'al al din kulh walaw karah al mushrikon". The reverse shows the name of the mint and the date in a circle along the edge. It also has the words "La Illaha ell Allah, Wahduh la Sharik Lah" in the center. Please note the coin is much better than the scan 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: 141 AH or 758 AD.
Mint: Al-Basra in current day Iraq.
Size and weight: This is a dirham weighs ~2.9 grams and is slightly off round measuring 25.5 by 26 mm.
References: It is Album #213.1, it is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as#1422 and is listed as #377 in Wilkes.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a good very fine or better (I would dare say it is extremely fine but you be the judge). The coin has very readable calligraphy and is a nice looking with lustrous surfaces. The coin has a light crease, which truly does not affect its beauty or quality. The coin shows minor wear to the high points, but has no losses. 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 suggest with very well defined and legible calligraphy. A definite quality coin. 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).
