Silver Islamic Coin Madinat al-Salam Baghdad Iraq Abbasid Dirham Al-Mahdi 161 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 ~2.9 grams and is a bit off round measuring ~25x23 mm. The coin shows the date of minting as 161 AH and the mint as Madinat al-Salam or current day Baghdad the capital of current day Iraq. The obverse of the coin has the words "Muhammad Rasul Allah Sala Allah 'Alihe Wa Salam; al-Khalifa al-Mahdi" with pellet below it 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 ella 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: 161 AH or 778 AD. Mint: Madinat al-Salam or current day Baghdad the capital of current56 day Iraq. Size and weight: This is a dirham weighs ~2.9 grams and is a bit off round measuring ~25x23 mm.
References: It is Album #215.1, and listed in Al'Ush Catalog of Islamic coins preserved in the national museum of Qatar as #1534. It is also listed in Wilkes as 379.
Condition: I would grade this coin as very fine. The coin has very readable calligraphy and is a nice-looking coin. The coin is also nicely toned with a nice warm gray patina. It also has a few scratches and minor bag marks in the field and shows wear to the high points, but has no losses. The coin is a bit off round measuring ~25x23 mm. It also has a pinched spot at 11:00 on the obverse. There is also embedded dirt within the calligraphy along the edge of the obverse at 12:00-1:00. 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. 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).
