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Dirham - Nasir al-Dawla and Sayf al-Dawla
| Issuer | Hamdanid dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 961 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 2.65 g |
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| Obverse description | Central field occupied by a multi-line Arabic religious legend arranged in horizontal registers within a plain inner border, conveying the Shahada and associated pious formulae in angular Kufic script. The marginal legend encircling the central inscription field continues the religious text in a single band, separated by a beaded or rope-pattern border. The die work is characteristic of mid-10th century Hamdanid coinage, with moderately struck Kufic lettering showing typical hammered flan irregularities. The overall layout follows Abbasid-derived typology, with carefully spaced text panels filling the available field. No figural imagery is present, consistent with Islamic numismatic tradition. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse presents a multi-line central field in Kufic Arabic script arranged in stacked horizontal registers, recording the names of the Hamdanid co-rulers Nasir al-Dawla and Sayf al-Dawla along with the mint and date formulae. A circular marginal inscription in Kufic script runs around the periphery within a beaded border, typically bearing a Quranic verse or additional titular epithets. The flan is slightly irregular, as is standard for hammered Islamic silver coinage of this period and region. Letter forms are angular and compact, reflecting the lapidary Kufic style favored on Hamdanid dirhams. The composition closely mirrors Abbasid prototype designs, affirming the dynasty's political legitimacy. |
| Reverse script | Arabic |
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