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Dirham - al-Musta'in al-'Abbas as heir
| Issuer | Abbasid Caliphate |
|---|---|
| Year | 863-865 |
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| Currency | Dinar (750-1517) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | The obverse displays a central field bearing five lines of Kufic Arabic legend affirming the Islamic profession of faith (Shahada) and naming al-'Abbas, heir apparent and son of the Commander of the Faithful. The field legend reads: 'There is no god but God alone, He has no partner / al-'Abbas son of / the Commander of the Faithful.' An inner marginal legend in smaller Kufic script records the mint and date formula, identifying the mint of al-Basra and the AH year. An outer marginal legend carries a Quranic citation from Surah al-Rum (30:4-5), reading 'To God belongs the command before and after, and on that day the believers shall rejoice in the victory of God.' The coin is struck on an irregular, slightly scalloped flan typical of hammered Abbasid silver coinage of the 3rd century AH. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Arabic |
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| Reverse description | The reverse displays a central field bearing five lines of Kufic Arabic legend, the uppermost line reading 'لله' (To God), followed by the Shahada naming the Prophet Muhammad as the Messenger of God, and concluding with the regnal title 'al-Musta'in Billah' (He who seeks aid from God), the laqab of the reigning Abbasid Caliph Ahmad ibn Muhammad. The field inscriptions are arranged in horizontal registers in a style characteristic of reformed Abbasid dirhams. An outer marginal legend carries the standard Quranic verse from Surah al-Tawba (9:33): 'Muhammad is the Messenger of God, He sent him with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists are averse.' The flan is irregular and slightly scalloped, consistent with the hammered production technique employed at Abbasid provincial mints. |
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