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Fals - Ahmad b. Muhammad
| Issuer | Saffarid dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 923-963 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round (irregular) |
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| Obverse description | Multi-line Arabic Kufic religious inscription contained within a raised inner circle, the field displaying characteristic angular script arranged across several lines. A secondary circular band separates the central inscription from the outer marginal legend, which carries the date formula in Arabic script. The flan is irregular and shows characteristic hammered fabric with uneven surfaces and natural patination. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Multi-line Arabic Kufic inscription occupying the central field within a raised inner circle, presenting the mint and administrative formula. An annular border separates the central device from the surrounding marginal legend, which bears the mint name formula in Arabic script. The surfaces display the typical irregular hammered flan and dark bronze patina consistent with Eastern Islamic coinage of the 10th century. |
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| Additional information |
The Saffarids of Sistan clung to power through most of the 10th century as a diminished vassal force, nominally subordinate first to the Samanids and later acknowledging Abbasid suzerainty in name while maintaining local administrative control. Ahmad b. Muhammad ruled this rump state for four decades — an unusually long tenure for a dynasty that had already passed its apex. Bronze fals of this period were the everyday currency of the eastern Iranian world, circulating in markets from Zaranj to Bust while silver dirhams moved through longer-distance trade networks.
The Zeno reference 203136 places this among a small documented group; the A#1413A classification reflects a type that surface rarely in Western collections.