ABBASID CALIPHATE, Al-Mahdi (158–169 AH / 775–785 AD) - Gold...
ABBASID CALIPHATE, Al-Mahdi (158–169 AH / 775–785 AD) - Gold dinar, issue with the
distinctive “three dots” (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 deity but God, alone; He has no partner.”). Inscription in early Kufic script
characterized 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-center due to
peripheral wear.
Reverse:
Central field (in 3 lines): الله / رسول / محمد (Muḥammad / rasūl / Allāh - “Muhammad is the
messenger of God”). Script marked by kashidas (horizontal extensions).
Distinguishing feature: Presence of a control mark in the form of a three-dot clover (∴) located below the
bottom line.
Circular marginal inscription: Prophetic mission from the Qur’an (IX:33): الحق ليظهره على الدين كلهMuḥammad rasūl Allāh sent him with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over(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-centered 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 still-massive Kufic script,
characteristic of the dynasty’s early decades. The group of three dots arranged in a triangle
beneath the reverse legend serves here as a classification element and supports the proposed dating
to the years 161–166 AH (777–783).
Numismatic expert: Pierre Adrien du Cly.
ABBASID CALIPHATE, Al-Mahdi (158–169 AH / 775–785 AD) - Gold dinar, issue with the
distinctive “three dots” (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 deity but God, alone; He has no partner.”). Inscription in early Kufic script
characterized 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-center due to
peripheral wear.
Reverse:
Central field (in 3 lines): الله / رسول / محمد (Muḥammad / rasūl / Allāh - “Muhammad is the
messenger of God”). Script marked by kashidas (horizontal extensions).
Distinguishing feature: Presence of a control mark in the form of a three-dot clover (∴) located below the
bottom line.
Circular marginal inscription: Prophetic mission from the Qur’an (IX:33): الحق ليظهره على الدين كلهMuḥammad rasūl Allāh sent him with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over(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-centered 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 still-massive Kufic script,
characteristic of the dynasty’s early decades. The group of three dots arranged in a triangle
beneath the reverse legend serves here as a classification element and supports the proposed dating
to the years 161–166 AH (777–783).
Numismatic expert: Pierre Adrien du Cly.
