| Classical Numismatic Group > Islamic Auction 5 | Auction date: 18 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 51 Price realized: 7,000 USD (Approx. 6,570 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: 'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Ma'mun. AH 194-218 / AD 808-833. AV Dinar (20mm, 4.09 g, 12h). Post-Reform type with double obverse margin. Madinat al-Salam mint. Dated AH 210 (AD 825/6). Bernardi 116Jh (this date not recorded); SICA 3, 1783 same dies; Album 222A.2. Near VF, minor deposit, pin-marks in reverse field. Extremely rare. In the early years of the 3/9th century, the caliph al-Ma'mun introduced a series of reforms to the 'Abbasid precious metal coinage. These involved a reduction in the number of active mints, alongside a standardisation of the coins' legends and designs. While the silver coinage in particular had evolved into a bewildering variety of types under Harun al-Rashid, al-Ma'mun, gradually introduced a uniform design featuring a new, elegant style of calligraphy, double marginal legends on the obverse, and without the name of the caliph, his heir, or any other secular authority. While the number of active dirham mints was reduced during these reforms, we see the opposite happening with al-Ma'mun's new gold coinage. Historically, the only mint-name used on 'Abbasid dinars had been Misr, except for a rare issue with the name of Madinat al-Salam known for the year AH 198 only. But under al-Ma'mun this was increased to four mints: Madinat al-Salam, Misr, Marw, and San'a, setting a pattern which was to continue under his successors, so that more than thirty gold mints were active during the caliphate of al-Muqtadir (AH 295-320). Estimate: 5000 USD |  |
