Madinat al-Salam or Baghdad Iraq Abbasid Silver Coin Al-Mansur Dirham 154 AH / 771 AD Very Fine
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 2.8 grams and is 24.5 mm in diameter. The coin shows the date of minting as 154 AH and the mint as Madinat al-Salam or Baghdad the capital of current day Iraq. The obverse of the coin has the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah" with the letters " Bakh Bakh " below it in the center and 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 scan with very well defined and legible calligraphy and some minor double striking along the edge of the obverse and some minor graffiti also on the obverse. This is 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: 154 AH or 771 AD.
Mint: Madinat al-Salam current day Baghdad the capital of Iraq.
Size and Weight: This is a dirham weighs 2.8 grams and is ~24.5 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #213.1, it is listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as#1480, and it is Wilkes 377.
Condition: This is a good very fine or better silver coin. The coin is very readable and has good eye appeal. The coin is nicely toned and shows wear commensurate with its age and circulated state. The coin shows some minor double striking along the edge of the obverse and some minor graffiti also on the obverse in the center. The coin has a few scratches and some bag marks. However, this is a very nice coin which would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the scan shows 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).
