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ABBASSID CALIPHATE, Al-Mahdi (158–169 AH / 775–785 AD) – Gol…
See original version (French)
28
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ABBASSID CALIPHATE, Al-Mahdi (158–169 AH / 775–785 AD) – Gol…
See original version (French)
Estimate CHF 800 - CHF 1,200
Voluntary lot
Description
ABBASSID CALIPHATE, Al-Mahdi (158–169 AH / 775–785 AD) – Gold dinar, issued in a
‘three-dot’ design (minted c. 161–166 AH).
Gross weight: 4.22 g.
Metal and fineness: 970 gold.
Diameter: 19 mm
Obverse:
Central field (in 3 lines): لا شريك له / الله وحده / لا اله الا (Lā ilāha illā / Allāh waḥdahu / lā sharīka lahu- ‘There is no god but God, alone; He has no partner’). Inscription in early Kufic script
characterised by thick ascenders and strong, rounded terminal strokes.
Circular marginal inscription: In the name of God, this dinar was struck in the yearة... (Bism Allāh ḍuriba hādhā al-dīnār sana... - ‘
In the name of God, this dinar was struck in the year... ’). Date partially erased/off the blank due to
peripheral wear.
Reverse:
Central field (over 3 lines): الله / رسول / محمد (Muḥammad / rasūl / Allāh – ‘Muhammad is the
messenger of God’). The script features kashidas (horizontal extensions).
Distinguishing feature: Presence of a control mark in the form of a three-pointed clover (∴) situated beneath the
bottom line.
Circular marginal inscription: Prophetic mission derived from the Qur’an (IX, 33): الحق ليظهره على الدين كلهMuḥammad rasūl Allāh arsalahu bi’l-hudā wa dīn al-ḥaqq liyuzhirahu ‘alā(Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, was sent with guidanceand the religion
of al-dīn in its entirety).
References: Album 214; Bernardi 51.
Condition: TTB (Very, Very Fine)
Specimen struck on a regular blank. The strike is vigorous and well-centred on the inscribed fields,
which retain excellent relief. The marginal inscriptions show a weak strike and
circulation wear typical of this coinage. The gold has a warm hue.
Historical note: Under Al-Mahdi, the Abbasid dinar retained a Kufic script that was still bold,
characteristic of the early decades of the dynasty. The group of three dots arranged in a triangle
beneath the reverse legend serves here as a classification feature and supports the proposed dating
to the years 161–166 AH (777–783).
Numismatic expert: Pierre Adrien du Cly.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Numismatic sales & collectible coins
Auction location
Auction time
11/06/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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