| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,640 |
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
I recently bought a lot of ancient coins and have been slowly working my way through the ones that are not in my primary area of collecting. I've been struggling to attribute a handful of Persian, Islamic and Indian coins. This one has me annoyed because I feel that I am close but not quite there. I believe it to be an Umayyad Dirham but I am unsure of the Caliphate. I'd appreciate any thoughts.  |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
 These aren't my area--you really have to be able to read the language to tell beyond a doubt with these. It could possibly be an imitation, provincial issue, or forgery. The Arabic sphere of influence spread from Spain all the way to China in its heyday--lots of the more neglected areas simply had to make their own coins. At any rate, I think an accurate weight reading will help. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Welcome, Archicard. Have you looked at Samanid, or a Samanid imitative like a dirham of the Volga Bulghars?
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
to the community |
|
Moderator
United States
34418 Posts |
@archicard, first welcome to CCF. Second, as you know the date is written out in longhand kufic script. I'll try to read it and get back to you with my thoughts, but in the meanwhile you might find this previous post helpful: https://goccf.com/t/267376"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Edited by Kamnaskires
08/28/2016 09:46 am
|
|
New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Thanks for all of the help and kind welcomes everyone. Based on Bob L's earlier suggestions I found this coin that may be similar (but not quite right): https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=l...=723&lot=587I'll check out the links to the Nasr II Ibn Ahmad coins to see how they compare. |
|
Moderator
United States
34418 Posts |
@archicard, I've been struggling with this one, but here are some preliminary thoughts--would love to hear what others have to say:
1. The obv having a two-line circumferential inscription started in 833 AD (roughly AH 218) so your coin is definitely later than this.
2. It is of the style of the Samanid Dynasty, but could be a derivation like the Volga Bulgar that you linked.
3. The mint appears to be Al-Shash (Tashkent Uzbekistan).
4. Unfortunately, the date is too flattened for me to read. I might see the number "11" in there, but I'm really not sure.
I think that attributing this to Nasr II b. Ahmad is pretty safe and that would put the date at AH 301 to AH 331. Maybe AH311?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Thanks for the insight, I really appreciate the help @spence.
|
|
Valued Member
United Arab Emirates
79 Posts |
This is a Samanid silver dirham minted in Al-Shash year AH 301, under the reign of Ahmad Ibn Isma'il. It is NOT Nasr II as someone suggested. Minted in "Al-Shash" year AH 301, last year of the mentioned ruler's reign. The reverse cites the name of the Abbasid caliph, to which the Samanids were somewhat of a vassal state.
Obverse outer margin: To Allah belongs the command before and after, and the day will come when believers will rejoice in the victory of Allah
Obverse inner margin: In the name of Allah, this dirham was minted in Al-Shash year one and three hundred (301)
Obverse center: There is no God but Allah, alone, He has no equal
Reverse margin: Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, he was sent with guidance and the religion of truth to proclaim it over all religions, even though the polytheists may dislike it
Reverse center: Lillah (For God) / Muhammad is the messenger of Allah / Al-Muqtadir Bi'llah (Abbasid caliph) / Ahmad Ibn Ismail
|
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 1,640 |
|
Posted 08/27/2016 10:14 pm
