Islamic Coin al-Basra Iraq Abbasid Silver Dirham Al-Saffah 133AH/ 751AD Good VF+
Description: Silver Dirham from Al-Saffah, the first Abbasid caliph who ruled the Muslim empire in the period 132-136 AH (749 - 754 AD). Al-Saffah is the first caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. His full name being Abu al-Abbas Abdul Allah al-Saffah. This is a dirham, weighs ~2.8 grams and is ~24.5 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 133 AH and the mint as 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 better than the photos suggest with very well defined and legible calligraphy. A definite quality coin worthy of a spot in your collection. Please carefully review the images presented as they part and parcel of our description.
Date: 133 AH or 751 AD.
Mint: Al-Basra in current day Iraq.
Size and weight: This is a dirham weighs ~2.8 grams and is ~24.5 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #211, it is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as#1373, is Wilkes #375, and is not listed in Lane Poole's Catalogue of Islamic Coins Preserved in the Khedivial Collection in Cairo Egypt.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a good very fine or better. The coin has very readable calligraphy and is lightly toned especially along the edge of the obverse. The coin has wear commensurate with its age and circulated state. It has a minimum of surface marks and a few minor bag marks. It has a well centered strike and is very readable. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos suggest with well-defined and beautiful calligraphy. A definite quality coin to add to your collection. Please see photo 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 lead the revolt against the Umayyad establishment 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 Muslim 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: 133 AH or 751 AD.
Mint: Al-Basra in current day Iraq.
Size and weight: This is a dirham weighs ~2.8 grams and is ~24.5 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #211, it is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as#1373, is Wilkes #375, and is not listed in Lane Poole's Catalogue of Islamic Coins Preserved in the Khedivial Collection in Cairo Egypt.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a good very fine or better. The coin has very readable calligraphy and is lightly toned especially along the edge of the obverse. The coin has wear commensurate with its age and circulated state. It has a minimum of surface marks and a few minor bag marks. It has a well centered strike and is very readable. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos suggest with well-defined and beautiful calligraphy. A definite quality coin to add to your collection. Please see photo 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 lead the revolt against the Umayyad establishment 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 Muslim 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).
