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Dirham - Nasr II b. Ahmad
| Issuer | Samanid dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 914-941 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | The obverse presents the Islamic profession of faith (shahada) arranged in multiple horizontal lines within a central circular field, executed in angular Kufic script. The field is enclosed by a single circular border composed of a raised line, beyond which runs a circular marginal legend in Arabic Kufic script. An outer annular band, separated by additional raised linear borders, carries a further inscription encircling the entire design. The flan is irregular and slightly uneven, as is characteristic of hammered Islamic silver coinage of the early medieval period. No figural imagery is present, the entire decorative program being devoted exclusively to sacred and dynastic epigraphic content. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse displays a multi-line Arabic Kufic inscription occupying the central field, arranged in horizontal registers and naming the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir Billah and the Samanid amir Nasr ibn Ahmad as overlord and issuing authority respectively. The central field is bounded by a raised circular border, outside of which a continuous marginal legend in Kufic script runs around the inner margin. A second outer band, enclosed between additional concentric raised lines, carries supplementary inscriptions including Quranic or formulaic text. The coin exhibits the characteristic flat, aniconic design of Samanid silver dirhams, with no decorative motifs other than the calligraphic legends. The hammered flan displays slight irregularity in outline and surface texture consistent with hand-struck production. |
| Reverse script | Arabic |
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