Islamic Coin Madinat al-Salam Abbasid Silver Dirham Al-Amin 195 AH Toned VF
Description: Silver Dirham from Al-Amin, who ruled the Muslim empire in the period 193-198 AH (809 - 814 AD). Al-Amin is the sixth caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. His full name being Abu Mousa Mohammed al-Amin. This is a dirham, weighs ~3 grams and is ~24 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 195 AH and the mint as Madinat al-Salam or current day Baghdad the capital of Iraq. The obverse of the coin has the words "Rabi Allah; Mohammad Rasul Allah; Mema Amr beh Abdallah Al-Amin; Mohammad Amir al Muminin; al Abass" with 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 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 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: 195 AH or 811 AD.
Mint: Madinat al-Salam or current day Baghdad the capital of Iraq.
Size and Weight: This is a dirham weighs ~3 grams and is ~24 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #221.3; it is not listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar. However, Al'Ush number 1788 has the same legends but has the date 194. It is Wilkes 387.
Condition: For international buyers, please note that the US postal rates for overseas shipping are very high and we are unable to change them. Additional charges will be incurred depending on the value of the item. Please check the cost of shipping before bidding. I would grade this coin as a good nicely toned very fine. The coin has very readable calligraphy and is a great looking coin. The coin shows some wear to the inscription, but it is still very well defined. The coin shows some double striking, and has dark toning and is slightly bent. It also has a few scratches and some bag marks. Be that as it may the coin is very nice and would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos show with very well defined and legible calligraphy. 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).
