Rare Islamic Coins / by George C. Miles

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Aare /s/amic Coins

BY
GEORGE C. MILES
THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY
BROADwAY
AT 156TH STREET
NEW YORK
1950
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coPYRIGHT, 1950, BY THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC sociETY
COMPOSITION
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
BY PRINCETON
PRESSWORK
UNIVERSITY PRESS.
BY MERIDEN GRAVURE
CO.

NUMISMATIC NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS

Number
118
NUMISMATIC NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS

is devoted to essays and treatises on subjects
relat
ing to coins, paper money, medals and decorations.

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
HERBERT
E. IvEs, Chairman
ALFRED R. BELLINGER
AGNES BALDw1N BRETT
THOMAs O. MABBOTT
SAwYER.
McA.
MossER,
Editor
FOREWORD
\HIS
P-
is the first of
a projected
of contributions in
series
which it is proposed to describe inedited and rare Islamic

coins for the most part in the Museum of the American Nu
mismatic Society. To these have been added notable rarities in other
public and private collections to which I have had access. Among
the latter is the fine unpublished collection formed in Egypt by
Yacoub Artin Bey in the late nineteenth century, acquired by

Robert C. H. Brock in 1902 and presented by him to the University
of
Pennsylvania Museum, whose authorities have generously placed

the collection on temporary loan with the American Numismatic
the Islamic coins
for example, the
certainly desirable,
the American Numismatic Society,
met, such
catalogue
the prohibitive expense could
is
be
Museum
in,
complete catalogue of
if of
all
Society for purposes of publication.
of
to
of
of
be
is
on
as
of
as
in
in
this and other collections systematically, beginning

nearly chrono
with the earliest Muslim issues and proceeding
logical order
possible down through the successive dynasties
the rare coins
to
of
to
be
Islam, need scarcely

argued. Each rare coin has something
add,
sometimes trivial, sometimes quite significant,
our knowledge
Islamic numismatics, history and geography. The orderly presenta

of
to of
of a
of
of
of
tion
this material should facilitate the eventual compilation
complete corpus
the coinages
each
the numerous Islamic
gigantic undertaking, needless
dynasties,
say, and one which,
of
an
in
III
in
this collection have been published

Society Museum Notes,
(1948), Some Early Arab
in
The American Numismatic

pp. 93-114.
The Umayyad and early Abbsid dinars
article
Dinars,"
in
spite
of
in
the already great mass

edited coins, must still await
many large and important
the detailed description
the rarities
collections.
*

of
but even
very large amount
would involve the needless duplication
already well known; both the cost
material that
the publisher
scarcely commen
and the effort
the part
the editor would
publishing
surate with the benefits gained. But the advantages
have been liberal: that
have
in
CO I NS
is,
In determining rarity I
IS LA M I
RARE
or
numismatic literature. Thus, while
no
by
siderable number
of
have checked each specimen against the descriptions
in
the vast and often obscure
in
and (for me) the disproportionately unrewarding labor involved

discovering whether
given issue has
has not been published
I in
to
of
in
cluded some pieces which have been published before and some
which may have been edited, because
have borne
mind the
many out-of-the-way publications,
inaccessibility
most readers
very
con
books, catalogues and articles, each search has
means been exhaustive.
tradition.
II.
the Sassanian
The
of
Post-Reform Umayyad Coinage, beginning with the earliest dinars

and dirhams
the purely Arab type, after the reform
Abd
of
the decline
the Abbsid Caliphate
vi
and with the later Islamic empires, kingdoms and principalities

both the East and the West.
in
evolved during the course
of
to
to
of
in
al-Malik, and continuing down

the end
the dynasty
132
A.H. (750 A.D.). III. The Abbsid Coinage, from 132 A.H.
656 A.H.
Subsequent
dynasties
(1258 A.D.).
volumes will deal with the
which
of

Bukhr and Tabaristn are
in
the Umayyad and Abbsid periods, for the early Muslim coins
of
I.
of
in
The present volume deals with rarities

the three earliest di
visions
Islamic numismatics:
The Pre-Reform Coinage, includ
ing the Sassanian and Byzantine imitations. This section straddles
CONTENTS
PAGE
FOREwoRD
ix
ABBREVIATIONS
I. THE
PRE-REFORM
CoINAGE
A. Arab-Sassanian
Anonymous
Governors
Barbarous Imitations

Abbsid Coins of Bukhr
Arab-Ephthalite
IO
Khwrizm
IO
Abbsid Governors of Tabaristn
I2
Earliest African and Spanish Issues
15
Gold
15
Copper
C. Byzantine-Arab
II. THE
PosT-REFORM
I6
UMAYYAD CoINAGE
A. Gold
I9
B.
22
Silver
C. Copper
III.
27
THE ABBASID CoINAGE
A. Gold
B.
C. Copper
INDICES
35
Silver
107
With Names of Mints
107
Mint Names Lacking or Effaced
I24
127
ABBREVIATIONS
AGW=George C. Miles, Early Arabic
The American
ANS=The
Society,
Numismatic
Monographs, no.
111,
Glass Weights and Stamps,
New York,
Numismatic
and
1948.
Museum of the American Numismatic
York.
Notes
Society,
New
Berlin=Heinrich Ntzel, Katalog der Orientalischen Mnzen, I:

Die Mnzen der stlichen Chalifen (Knigliche Museen zu
Berlin), Berlin, 1898.
I)
John Walker, A Catalogue of the Arab-Sas

sanian Coins (British Museum), London, 1941.
(in Sections II and III) Stanley Lane-Poole, Catalogue of Oriental
Coins in the British Museum, London, 1875-1890.
BM=(in
Section
Casanova,
Casanova=P.
Inventaire sommaire de la Collection des
Qatalght, Qustantiniyyah,
Dorn, Nova Supplementa=B.

numorum
Muhammedanorum,
Islm.
author's collection.
Ibn-al-Athir=Al-Kmil
al-Ta'rikh, ed.
J.
GCM=the
editoris aucta,
Acad. Imp. Scient.

Petersbourg, 1855.
of
I=Encyclopaedia
fi
of
E.
Petropolit. Additamentis
C.
censionem
1312.
Dorn, Nova Supplementa ad Re

St.
Qadimeh-i-Islmiyyeh
Tornberg, Leyden,
1867-1874.
of
JNSI=Journal
JRAS=Journal
of of &
de
de
Ibn-Khaldn=Kitb al-'Ibar, ed. Blq, 1284 A.H.

Ibn-Khallikn=Wafayt al-A'yn, ed.
Slane, Paris, 1838; transl.,
London, 1843-1871.
Slane, Paris
the Numismatic Society
India.
the Royal Asiatic Society.
[ix
at
in
of
Khedivial Library=Stanley Lane-Poole, Catalogue

the Collection
Cairo,
Arabic Coins preserved
the Khedivial Library
London, 1897.
of

Monnaies Musulmanes de S.A. la Princesse Ismail, Paris, 1896.

Constantinople=Ism'il
Ghlib, Mze-yi-Humyn,
Meskkt-i
RARE
IS LA M I C
CO I
NS
Le Strange, Lands=G. Le Strange, The Lands of the Eastern Cal

iphate, Cambridge, 1930.
Le Strange, Palestine=Guy Le Strange, Palestine under the Mos

lems, London,
Petersbourg,
Muruj=Kitb Murj al-Dhahab,
ed.
Mey
de
Mas'udi,
Monet,
1896.
C.
St.
Markov=A.
1890.
Markov, Inventarnii Katalog Musulmanskikh

Barbier
de
Pavet
Chronicle, London.
NHR=George
Miles, The Numismatic History
C.
NC=Numismatic
York, The American Numismatic

Studies No. 2).
Society,
of
of
&
Courteille, Les Prairies d'Or, Paris 1861-1877.

MMA=Metropolitan Museum
Fine Arts, New York.
nard
Rayy, New
(Numismatic
1938.
de
Lavoix, Catalogue des Monnaies Musulmanes

Paris, 1887.
Bibliothque Nationale,
du
et
Copenhague,
I,
Paris=Henri
Muse National
Turques
la
Cabinet Royal des Mdailles

Copenhagen, 1938.
de
du
NZ=Numismatische Zeitschrift, Wien.

strup=J. strup, Catalogue des Monnaies Arabes
Academiae Imp. Scient. Petropolitanae,

RN=Revue Numismatique, Paris.
St.
RA=Revue Archologique.
Recensio=C. M. Fraehn, Recensio Numorum Muhammedamorum
Petersbourg,
de
ed.
Geoje
1879-1901.
St.
al., Leyden,
1826.
la
de
Numismatique Belge.
RNB =Revue
TabariAl-Tabari, Tar'ikh al-Rusul wa-al-Mulk,
et
Peters
Tornberg, Numi Cufici Regii Numophylacii

miensis, Upsalla, 1848.
Hol
Ties.>W. Tiesenhausen, Moneti
Khalifata,
1873.
ad
numa
Museo regio Holmiensi (Nova Acta
ser.
riam Muhammedanorum
Reg. Soc. Scient. Upsaliensis,
Tornberg, Symbolae
III,
IV=C.
Tornberg, Symbolae
J.
Tornberg=C.
ex
bourg,
vostochnavo
J.

NNA=Nordisk Numismatisk Arsskrift.
vol.
IV),
rem
Uppsala,
1862.
R A RE
UM=Collection
sylvania,
CO I NS
of the University Museum, University of Penn
Philadelphia;
Yqt=Mu'jam
Zambaur,
IS LA M I
formerly Yacoub Artin Bey Collection.

al-Buldn, ed. F. Wstenfeld, Leipzig, 1866-1870.
ManuelE.
de Zambaur,
Manuel de Gnalogie
et de
Chronologie pour lHistoire de l'Islam, Hannover, 1927.

ZDMG=Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlndischen Gesellschaft.

Z. fr N.EZeitschrift fr Numismatik,
[ xi
Berlin.

I. THE PRE-REFORM
COINAGE
A. ARAB-SAssANIAN
Of approximately
150 Arab-Sassanian
coins
in the collection of
the American Numismatic Society, fifty-seven have been published
in John Walker's admirable Catalogue of the Arab-Sassanian Coins

(British Museum, London, 1941). Except in one or two instances
where
have felt that some minor emendation
is necessary
have
omitted reference to these published specimens in the following

pages. They may be easily found in Walker's catalogue, designated
vast majority of
ETN or ANS. The
Mr. Newell's collection

incorporated
has been
with that of the Museum to which he devoted
many
years
so
of his life. In the present publication I have included
ANS and other collections unknown to Walker.

part
they
For the most
are minor varieties of published pieces, but
a few are unique or quite unusual. With some exceptions I make
no mention of specimens identical with those appearing in the
BM
catalogue.
ANONYMOUS, WITH THE NAME OF KHUSRAU
Year
1.
30.
II
Drbjird.
clipped specimen similar to BM No. 15 (p. 10), except that the

obverse marginal legend, although obscure due to wear, appears not
Walker reads the mint signature a 3 as DR.' I

would suggest the more apparent reading DP, a quite logical ab
breviation, especially in view of the existing variant DAP."
ANs (ex
Newell Coll.). 27mm., 2.72grm.

PLATE
AR.
to be defective.
In
as
of
to
in
is
a
to all
In
be
all
to
to to
by
and Arab-Ssnian
Coins,
in
on Ssnian
}
(Mint-marks
Paruck
J.
pp. cili and cxvi.
D.
BM,
in
many other virtues, his exhaustive handling

previously published Arab-Sas
sanian coins spares the student the laborious searching,
which
have referred
the
foreword, usually incident
publishing rare and inedited coins.
consequence
have
and large been content
refer only
this work;
other pertinent references can
found there.
of
Among
as
so
as
is
or
of
of
in
to
to
Referred
this section
the present volume simply
BM.
the sections dealing
with the post-reform Umayyad coinage and the Abbsid coinage, the abbreviation BM refers
the pertinent volume
Lane-Poole's Catalogue
Oriental Coins
the British Museum.
definitive,
delight
nearly
Walker's catalogue
one can wish, and
use.
* *
F.

specimens from the
JNSI, VI,
R A RE
2.
IS LA M I
CO I NS
Year 30. Nihwand.
RB 2 (p. 10), with the following exceptions:

-AJH (BM signature No. 43a), and the star
Similar to BM No.
the mint signature is
and crescent on the rev. are reversed, i.e., star
l. and crescent r. of
GCM
(Teheran, 1935). 30mm., 3.69grm.
3.
PLATE
Year
AR.
flame.
Drbjird.
41.
is
it
(#.
(ex Newell Coll.). 29mm., 3.3ogrm.
ANs
Year 45. Sistan.

(p. 18).
reading
of I
BM No. Th.
Identical with
reproduce this specimen
in
the
R.
is
it
confirms Walker's
the date, which
faint, but almost certainly 45.
Thorburn Collection
because
1946). 32mm., 4.08grm.

PLATE
no
5.
GCM (Bombay,
Year 43(2). Sistn.
GCM
(Bombay, 1946). 32mm.,
4.01 grm.
above, except
in
No.
the
following particulars: breast
p.
Similar
Year 44(?). Sistn.

to
6.
PLATE
AR.
to
is
in
in
to
Similar
the above except
the following particulars:
breast
&\e-;
ornament; legend
first quarter
date --rel-e-. The date
puzzle. With great hesitation
suggest JHLSIH.
me
in
is
as
de
of
by
in
of
to
of
of
be
105) read DP and made the vague suggestion

that the mint might
located
Drbgard.
assigning BM mint
agree with Walker
the vicinity
the district
Drbjird, and
general with his consolidation
marks Nos. 17-22
variants. The
Morgan
separate mints hypothecated
number
such writers
Paruck and
fantastic.
1944,
in

4.
PLATE
AR.
*.*.: J) (-
l.
is
I.
(p. 17), probably identical, but

not illus
margin
present
specimen
trated and the obv.
not described. The
shoulder,
has: crescent over
breast-ornament ..., and margin,
Cf. BM No.
A R A B-SAS SANIAN
; date
JHLJR
GCM
(Bombay, 1946). 32mm., 3.91grm.
be
to
of
the margin
these
MZD, Pahlevi mizd, Lohn=Persian
the year
No.
the final letter
and the Thorburn specimen
of is
more clearly written than
and
valid currency. On Nos.

4
sense
on
the
me
mizd, muzd, reward, premium, salary, wages, hire, probably
of
-,
in
the first quarter
to in
The legend N*-
of
PLATE
coins" appears
with much reserve.

AR.
submit
-ca)-2-. This date also is very curious and
ornament
45.
no
25
7.
Year 48. Bishapr.

of
in
to
(p. 19), but

countermark, obverse mar
Similar
BM No.
gin correctly written, and slight variation
the epigraphy
the
to
(similar
BM counter
obverse over beginning
the epigraphy
AR.
variations
in
Three specimens similar
(p. 21), but with minor
the date and mint.
(ex Newell Coll.). 33,
31, 30mm. 3.89, 3.26, 3.38grm.
following particulars: ear
s.v.
II
p.
is
this legend
on the Thorburn specimen.
(Uppsala, 1928),
(Uppsala, 1931),
53,
152; Steingass,
In
S.
*
6
the BM catalogue the only occurrence

Nyberg, Hilfsbuch des Pehlevi,
Cf. H.
the
of
except
the above
Similar
in
Year 50(?). Bishpiir.

to
10.
ANs
BM No.
33
Bishpiir.
of to
9.
50.
(ex Newell Coll.). 33mm., 3.93grm.
ANs
PLATE
Year
of
quarter
***6
&#
of
second
AR.
11
mark No.
Arabic legend.
in
above, but countermark
?)
to
Similar
.
.
Bishpiir.
48.
8.
Year
AR.
(ex Newell Coll.), 32mm., 3.47grm.
ANs
PLATE
p.

date.
IS LA M I C CO I NS
RA R E
Ji
ornament
obverse margin 9 g. 6:
r" (# (pellet, if any,
under star and crescent at bottom, clipped); date somewhat obscure.
(Teheran, 1935). 28mm., 2.75grm.
GCM
PLATE
AR.
&,
Governors
Drbjird. Year 53=65
A.H. =684/5 A.D.
of
reverse
d".
in
of
fourth quarter
(Teheran, 1935). 31mm., 3.81grm.
GCM
applies
as
well
in
the Pahlevi legend
the
of
be
to
to
me
(with the letter following)
the description
BM No. 48. The same ob
BM No.
(p. 103).
206
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
31mm., 4.02grm.
PLATE
13.
52
Ziyd
Bishpr. Year
b.
II
AR.
servation
in
transcribed
to
not
as
as
that
obverse margin appears
the present specimen
of
(p. 35). On
BM No.
the BM the third letter
in to
on
Similar
A.H. =686/7 A.D.

48
Kirmn. Year
12.
abi-Sufyan
A.H. =672 A.D.
ANs
is
clearly
on
[4

PLATE
II
ANs
AR.
no
and there
A.H. =664/5 A.D.
(p. 47), but the breast-ornament

additional pellet
the neck.
BM No.
is
Similar
mir
68
Bishapr. Year
to
14.
44
Abdullh
b.
PLATE
II
AR,
in
of
no
to
(p. 38), but with

Similar
BM No. ANS
minor difference
the epigraphy
the date, and
countermark.

67
PLATE
II
AR.
in
(p. 33), except: breast-orna

crown; minor difference
date; and
r.
epigraphy
and
nothing
7
*; star
l,
to
BM Nos. ANS
Similar
ment clearly
of
11.
Zubayr
b.
Abdullah
A R A B-SAS
AN IAN
Ubaydullah b. Ziyd
15.
A.H. =677/8 A.D.
Basrah. Year 58
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
if
the
28mm., 3.36grm.
PLATE
II
AR.
Similar to BM No. 80 (p. 58) (not illustrated), that is

epigraphy of the date is the same.
83
BM No.
(p. 58), but date written

AR.
Similar
AH-679/80 A.D.
Year 60
Basrah.
to
16.
kJ/0/.
ANs
of
to
of
to
62
of
61
of
Walker (BM, pp. 184-185) has made brief mention

two speci
Basrah, year
Basrah,
mens
(similar
BM No. 85), and one
year
(similar
BM No. 87), two
them from the Newell Col
Similar
b.
99
7B
9B.
Ziyd
A.H. =682/3 A.D.
BM Nos.
124ff. (p. 78), except that there
no
Marv. Year
to
17.
63
Salm
to
in 60
NHR No.
to
of
was listed
(ex Newell Coll.), similar
is
104,
Rayy, year
in
BM No.
specimen
62
of
is
Coll.).
crescent
ANs (ex
Brand Coll.). 33mm., 3.43grm.
A.H. =686/7 A.D.

of
as
interpretation
the mint signature usually read
the epigraphical difficulty inherent
this reading.
Paruck's counter-arguments (op. cit., pp. 99-10o), although
the Parsik
form
of
in
to
with regard
to
cannot agree with the bulk

dispute his statement
am not equipped
Balkh.
accept Walker's
am inclined
BM, pp. cxii-cxiii),
spite
(see
Khzim
of
Year
of in
BBA
Balkh.
to
18.
67
Abdullah
b.
PLATE
II
AR.
of
l.
is
#5, in
shoulder, and there
only one countermark
over the
the first quarter
the obverse. Date poorly preserved and badly
written.
I I

he
lection, the other from the Wood Collection. Similarly

has men
(p.
Rayy,
year
except
tioned
186) one
(similar
BM No.
.".), published
my NHR, No.
that the earring
(ex Newell
the name
R A RE
BM No.
158
fou
over 64 of obverse margin.
A.."
91), but countermark

only,
obverse margin, between the Arabic legend
172
of
second quarter
the flan.
AR.
and the edge
A.H. =685/6 A.D.
BM No.
of
in
Similar
ANs
(p.
Marv. Year
to
19.
66
AR.
and countermark
(p. 88), but no crescent over the l. shoulder,
ANs
it
has the
BM No.
(p. 93).
182
only because
almost the same position, just
same countermark
mention
it
Identical with
A.H. =688/9 A.D.
Marv. Year
in
20.
69
PLATE
II
Similar to
IS LA M I C CO I NS
AR.
Marv. Year
69
21.
ANs
A.H. =688/9 A.D.
foL
(pp. 92-3), but countermark
175ff.
A.H. =689/90 A.D.
foL
dif
first quarter.
(twice
over 64, and
first quarter.
in
to
(b)
(c)
(p. 94), but with
in
I'
185
l.
to
Three specimens, similar

BM No.
ferent countermarks,
wit: (a)
P)
Marv. Year
ANs (ex
in
22.
70
AR.
in
to
Similar
BM Nos.
only,
third quarter.
third
the date.
One
p.
Walker,
of
191.
Newell Coll.). 34, 34, 34mm., 4.06, 4.02, 3.96grm.
ANs (ex
AR.
the specimens received mention
the epigraphy
by
There are minor differences
in
quarter.
of

above (#.
ARA
B-SAS S AN IAN
Umar b. 'Ubaydullh
23.
Ardashir-Khurrah. Year 70 A.H. =689/90 A.D.
3:
of
r.
no
of
r.
l.
no
..)
pellet over 1, shoulder; obv, margin **)

...-J1
(*countermark; pellet
pellet
and
mint signature;
Similar to BM No. Cam. 9 (p. 99), except in these particulars:
ANs
24.
67
PLATE
Bishapr. Year
II
AR.
date.
A.H. =686/7 A.D.

(p. 99), except
in
194
the
to
Similar
L'o
195
and
p.
(p. 99), but ear-crescent doubtful, and

fourth quarter.
<k"
AR.
countermarks
BM No.
A.H. =687/8 A.D.
ANs
Bishapr. Year
to
Similar
BM No.
A.H. =688/9 A.D.
197
in
is
it
illustrated here because

shows the
margin,
specimen.
the reverse
cut off
the BM
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
32mm., 4.02grm.
PLATE
to
is
Three specimens,
which one
similar
(p. 110). The other two: (a) breast-ornament
BM No. Th.
14
A.H. =698/9 A.D.

;
Year
abi-Bakrah
Sistn.
of
27.
79
Ubaydullh
b.
II
AR.
pellet
on
Walker (p. 193), but
(p. 100). This specimen received mention
it
26.
69
PLATE
II
Bishpiir. Year
ANs
in
68
25.
by

AR.
by
to
in
""
BM No.
to
following particulars:
clipping;
points
obverse margin uncertain due
Walker,
no countermarks. Mentioned but not described
193.
Similar
earring
date obscure;
RA R E
IS LA M I
INS
CO
nothing l. and r. of flame; (b) breast-ornament
r";
(?); pellet under
AR,
pellet and obscure stroke l, and r. of flame.

GCM
(Bombay, 1946). 33, 32mm., 4.07, 3.98grm.

PLATE
72
A.H. =691/2 A.D.

as
in
mentioned
Walker (p. 196). Although the
legible, and
the specimen differs
some
is
obscure
it
is
date
is
This specimen
27b)
by
Kirmn. Year
28.
(No.
al-Aswad
b.
Atiyah
II
Ji
beginning of
the end.
PLATE
II
as
publish
it
(p. 111).
74
BM No. Th.
here,
Thor
the
has not been illustrated.

AR.
burn specimen
ANs
A.H. =693/4 A.D.

15
(Teheran, 1935). 28mm., 2.92grm.
GCM
PLATE
the
BM No.
b.
A.H. =694/5 A.D.
222 (p. 114). There
pellet after the date
BM specimen, although not described).

AR,
(also
on
Similar
abi-Sufrah
is
a
Bishapr. Year
to
30.
75
Al-Muhallab
ANS. 32mm., 3.56grm.
A.H. =695/6 A.D.

230 (p. 118), but
remarkable interest and

ANs
reproduce
it
here
relatively good preservation.
BM No.
AR.
its
Identical with
III
Ysuf
its
31. Bishapr. Year
76
Al-Hajjj
b.
PLATE
view
III
in
Similar
to
Kirmn. Year
of

29.
in
it
here:
AR.
letters
at
obliterated,
describe
no
Pahlevi inscription after

obverse margin; and the mint signature contains additional, but
particulars
(ex Starosselsky Coll.,), 32mm., 3.82grm.

PLATE
[8]
III
B UK
HARA
Barbarous Imitations
32.
Zaranj
(?). Date uncertain.
similar to BM No. 245 (p. 126). In both cases

only part of the marginal Arabic legend is preserved, and the name
of the mint is completely effaced. The epigraphy of the name in
Pahlevi at the r. of the bust differs somewhat from the BM speci
Two
specimens
men, but
specimen
HUSRUI
is undoubtedly
illustrated
the correct reading.
can make nothing
of the mint signature (if
any); on the other specimen it is defaced by

The dates (?) are:
and 22.
AR.
-'
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
crack in the coin.
33, 32mm., 3.07, 3.0ogrm.
of
PLATE
(No.
32a)
Bukhr
ANS
of
In
III
p.
of p.
of
collection there are three specimens

the Bukhr
163); one
intermediate imitations (BM Nos. b.5-b.6,
the type
164); nine
with --> (BM No. 317,
the 5-til type (BM,
the
(i),
Nos. 319., pp. 164-166), and three other specimens,

described below.
variant
33.
Bilingual,
with legend Al-Mahdi al-Fadl li'llh.
Pl.
I,
11,
p.
S.
le
de
de
of
One other example

this very rare issue has been published
(W. Tiesenhausen, Notice sur une collection
monnaies orientales
Stroganoff (St. Petersburg, 1880)
M.
Comte
il
of
(p. 167). The obverse

No. 5=BM No. Ties.
the present piece
identical with the above. The reverse, which has never been
the inscriptions
Hor
made
of
head
flames. Nothing can
of
grotesque
be
the altar surmounted
by
fire altar and attendants, with
Walker assumed, the usual debased representa
(?).
AR.
muzd
on a
tion
of
lustrated, bears,
as
is

Abbsid Coins
On the
ANs

PLATE
[9]
III
Arabic legend, Ali Sulayman.
or
it to
ap
gle, -the
letters after the critical word

the interpretation
the
the legend which

discussed (BM, pp. xciv
of
letter
greatest difficulty
thoroughly and competently

accept Walker's reading and argument for al-Amin, but
so
Walker has
xcvi).
bear
different dies, but essentially similar

them, only because
illustrate one
in
point
to
of to
pears
3-yl
of
of
published specimens.
Gle
They are
J3-2
3-
J-
...~
344-350 (pp. 168-9), bearing
BM Nos.
Ji
obverse legend:
INS
specimens similar to
the
Two
u.
34.
CO
IS LA M I
RA R E
must confess
scepticism about the suggestion
considerable
that
or
&
of
of
Sulayman
at the hands
of
an
b.
Ali
after gle are not clear; but

does somewhat support one
these two logical pos
omitted word which would make the legend read
AR, ANS.
Sulayman.
25, 25mm., 2.5I, 2.43grm.

PLATE
III (No.
34a)
Arab-Ephthalite
b.
17
by
b.
of
in
of
The two rare Arab-Ephthalite coins

the ANS, one
Rabi'
(?),
Ziyd (?), and the other
Abdullah
Khzim
have been
Walker, BM Nos. ANS
published
pp.
20,
and ETN
127-8.
(?),
turban
with
surrounded
necklace
ca. 795
A.H.
A.D.
riding prancing
holding
horse with trappings
whip (?) upraised with left
hand, and reins with right;
Horseman,
r.,
king,
helmet
flaps behind;
two
Aramaic leg-
wears crested helmet
(?), with
flaps; quiver suspended

[
r.
strands. Debased
end
Ca. 179
10
crested
by
wearing
head
(?).
r.,
Beardless
Yahy
of
Al-Fadl
of
35.
b.
Khwrizm
at

it
believe that
sibilities; i.e.,
either
in
gle, because the letters(?)
or
5-4
of
to
an
of
two governors are present. Unfortunately the present

argument
specimen fails
clinch
favor
concealed
the names
diago
KH w ARIZM
nally behind rider's legs; above
croup, in finely engraved Kufic
Jail);
characters,
end
around,
leg
in Khwrizmian charac
ANs
Thomas
1870, and subsequently
by
III
W. Tiesen
Cunningham,
be
al-Birni's
P.
list
by
1937-1938,
this type and
suggest the
with the names
the pre-Islamic
of
and
to
eighth centuries,
in
Material Culture
the issuing rulers
certain
conducted
excavations
of
to
third
of
kings given
the
of
result
Khwrizmian kings
establish the provenance
of to
identification
in of of
antecedents
of
the late eighth century
the Aphrigid dynasty. As
Tolstov has been able
S.
any doubt about the correct attribution
the present type
longer
the Soviet Institute for the History
Khwrizmian
dynasty.
the
Arab viceroy
Yahy, who governed
of
of
issue
in
Barmecide al-Fadl
an
probability
b.
all
in
is
The particular type represented here, bearing the name al-Fadl,

Khursn, the
the East from
177
so 4,
et
in
in
K.
10
A.
p.
en
of
of
J.
* *
E. E.
Thomas, Indo-Parthian Coins, NC, 1870 pp. 142ff. JRAS, 1870, pp. 153ff.
Rapson, On the Attribution
Fabric, NC,
certain Silver Coins
Sassanian
1896, pp. 246ff.; Ed. Drouin, Observations sur les Monnaies
lgendes
Pehlevi
RA, 1886,
Pehlevi-Arabe,
66;
Markov, Neizdannye arsakidskie monety,
ZVORAO, VI, pp. 265-304.
Monety Shakhov Drevnego Khorezma
Alfavit,
Drevnekhorezmiiskii
Vestnik
is
in
of
N.
of
is
It
1938, pp. 120-145.

Drevnei Istorii, No.
unfortunate that the illustrations accompany
ing this article are
poor. The following notes were written before the publication
Frye's Notes on the Early Coinage
Richard
Transoxiana (Numismatic Notes and
Monographs, No. 113, N.Y., 1949),
which (pp. 196.) the present type
discussed and
11
2,
in an
at
in
of
is
this particular piece

illustrated.
The results
these excavations are summarized
article by Henry Field and
Eugene Prostov, Excavations
Khwarazm, 1937-1938,
Ars Islamica, Vol. VI, Pt.
1939, pp. 158-166. The coins are briefly discussed on pp. 164-5.
11

of of
1938" there can
to
no
of
Rapson, Drouin, Markov and others." Their identification long

mained uncertain, but since the publication
Tolstov
its
hausen and
by
this and allied types were first discussed
in
Coins
E.
of
PLATE
in re
AR.
terS.
RAR E
IS LA M I C
C O
I NS
Other coins of similar type bear

the name Ja'far, identified with Ja'far b. Muhammad, governor of
to
179
or
180 A.H. =793-797 A.D.
Khursn in
On both of these types

Tolstov tentatively reads the Khwrizmian legend as Abdullh
Shh, the Muslim name of the probable Aphrigid ruler of the
A.H. =787-789 A.D."
171-173
period.
The weights of Tolstov's specimens with Arabic legends are:

2.05, 1.92, 1.44
and
1.32 grims.
Abbsid Governors of Tabaristn

Umar b. al-Al
Name in Pahlevi
Year
122 = 157
A.H. =773/4 A.D.

of
r.,
P)
l.,
This coin is unique. Similar to BM No. 262 (p. 134), except in the
following particulars: star and pellet
pellet (and star
AR.
of
is
at
l.
r.
of
crown; star
flame; date 'el) Pelul (the first
and crescent
missing because the coin has been pierced
letter
this point);
pellet over
mint name.
(Teheran, 1935). 24mm., 1.91grm.
GCM
Name
in
PLATE
Pahlevi and Arabic
A.H. =776/7 A.D.

(p. 136).
Identical with BM No.
because
of
reproduce
it
40
B.
excellent preservation.
AR.
its
III
Year 125=160
37.
(ex Newell Coll.). 24mm, 1.92grm.
ANs
III
p.
is
of
pp. 629, 631, 637, 645. There

some question about the period
al-Fadl's
Khursn;
my NHR, pp. 67-8. Tolstov (op. cit.,
the discussion
131)
in
III,
cf.
Tabari
governorship
of
**
PLATE
12
of
be
to
is,
J.
p.
b.
135.
p.
p.
is
on
It
V,
ibid.,
of E.
to
of
to
787-795 A.D. and makes reference

other reports
the dates
al-Fadl's viceroyship.
Barthold (Turkestan down
the Mongol Invasion,
W. Gibb Memorial Series, N.S.,
London, 1928, pp. 202, 464) gives 794-795.
course, not
excluded that the
Sulaymn (783-787 A.D.) (cf. Tolstov, loc. cit.).
Fadl mentioned
the coins
al-Fadl
*Tolstov, op. cit.,
131; Tabari III,
609.
gives
**

36.
TABARISTAN
Name in Arabic
38.
Year 127=162
A.H. =778/9 A.D.
AR.
Similar to BM No. 268 (p. 138), but no pellet over S of mint

name.
(Teheran, 1935). 24mm, 1.87grm.
GCM
PLATE
III
Sulaymn
39.
Year 137=172 A.H. =788/9 A.D.
various differences
in
to
Six specimens similar
285-288 (pp. 144-5), but
BM Nos.
faulty obverse marginal inscription.

AR. R.
(a)
(b)
ANs
GCM
reproduce two specimens only.
(ex Newell Coll.). 24mm, 2.1ogrm.

(Istanbul, 1942). 23mm., 1.76grm.
PLATE
PLATE
III
(No.
IV (No.
39a)
39b)
Year 138=173 A.H. =789/90 A.D.

Similar
BM No. 288 (p. 145), but with different neck-orna
209); Unvala lists none.
mentation. This issue
rare (cf. BM
AR.
is
p.
to
40.
GCM
(Istanbul, 1942). 23mm.,
1.71
PLATE
grn.
IV
Jarir
Year 135=170 A.H. =786/7 A.D.
(p. 145), but breast-ornament ".", and
Similar
BM No.
of 5
and
r.
l.
pellet (not star)
Z.
to
41.
flame.
25mm., I.92grm.
42.
AR. ANS.
F.
ANs (ex
J.
AR.
l.
r. to
(p.
Year 136=171 A.H. =787/8 A.D.

145), but breast-ornament
Similar
BM No. 289
star
and
of flame.
Jones
Coll.). 24mm,
"...',
and
1.65grm.
to
as
be
13
in
to
in
no
to
be
J.-M. Unvala, Numismatique
mens
it
pl.
XXII, lists some speci

du Tabaristn (Paris, 1938),
that may
identical
this. This work cannot, unfortunately,
relied upon
legible reproductions.
abounds
errors and contains
have not attempted
collate
specimens
his references
the ANs.
15

with
the neck-ornamentation, and none with the
IS LA M I C CO I NS
RA R E
Hni
Year 137=172
A.H. =788/9 A.D.
BM No.
293
and
"...',
ANs
A.D.
789/90
".",
147), but breast-ornament
and
l.
Similar
A.H.
(p.
Year 138=173
to
44.
AR.
Similar to BM No. 291 (p. 147), but breast-ornament

(apparently) crescent l. and pellet r. of flame.
r.
43.
AR.
of flames obscure.
ANs
Muqtil
of
l.
and star
Armstrong (Toronto). 23mm., 1.87grm.
Abdullh
BM No.
on
A.H. =790/1 A.D.

55
Similar
174
I.
to
Year 139=
46.
(p. 150), but the date
this specimen
(Teheran, 1936). 23mm, 2.07grm.
BM
catalogue
No. ANS
the other
(p. 151), Pl.
is
of
one and the reverse
Abdullh's issue
of
The obverse
specimens
21
the
ANS two
as
in
year 140.
the
of
There are
in
PLATE
IV
of
GCM
the
illustrated
XXVI, No.
5.
AR.
is
distinct.
Afzut Coins
star; tiny pellet
and
of
in
following particulars: the

r.
appears
the
l,
breast-ornament
305, except
a
BM No.
be
Similar
A.H. =784/5 A.D.

to
Year 133=168
to
47.
the
AR.
flame.
GCM
(Teheran, 1935). 24mm,
Unvala does not list this variety.
14
16

H.
296 (p. 149), but crescent
BM No.
r.
A.H. =790/1 A.D.
F.
174
AR.
Similar
flame."
to
Year 139=
45.
1.82
grm.
TABARISTAN
Year 134=
48.
A.H. = 785/6 A.D.
169
Similar to BM No. 306 (p. 155), but star, not pellet, l. and r. of
D.
R.
AR.
flame.
Kenney
(N.Y.).
25mm., 2.11grm.
Year 136= 171 A.H. =787/8 A.D.

157), but breast-ornament ".", and
Similar
BM No. 312
flame.
AR.
and
r.
(?)
pellets
of
to
(p.
49.
of
and
r.
star
l.
implies
23
BM No. ETN
to
Similar
1.61grm.
A.H. =788/9 A.D.
Year 137=172
50.
GCM. 24mm.,
(p. 158), but the
flame, whereas
BM description
ETN
both the
specimen
AR.
and the present one have pellets, not stars.
of flame.
ANs (ex Wood
Coll.). 23mm,
PLATE
(p.
313
IV
159), but breast-ornament "...', and
flame.
AR,
of
and star
r.
l.
pellet
BM No.
176
1.8ogrm.
A.H. =792/3 A.D.
141
to
Year
Similar
52.
2.04grm.
(p. 158), but breast-ornament ".",

AR.
and
23
BM No. ETN
r.
to
l.
and star
ANs. 24mm, 2.16grm.

PLATE IV
Year 143= 178 A.H. =794/5 A.D.

Similar
BM Nos. 314ff. (p. 160), but breast-ornament uncer
flame.
AR.
of
and
r.
tain, and pellet
l.
to
53.
ANs (ex Newell
B. EARLIEST AFRICAN
Coll.).
25mm., 1.78grm.
AND SPANISH IssuEs
Similar
to
Africa. Type
54.
I.
Gold
BM ix," Nos.
74-75 (p. 21), Codera," pp. 39-42.
The
references
de
15
in
of
to
17
Stanley Lane-Poole's Catalogue

henceforth are
Oriental Coins
Museum (London, 1875-90).
Zaidin, Tratado
Don Francisco Codera
Numismtica Arbigo-Espaola (Madrid,
1879).
BM
the British

Similar
Coll.). 24mm,
A.H. =788/9 A.D.
Year 137=172
51.
ANs (ex Wood
RARE
IS LA M I C
C O
I NS
present piece presents nothing unusual, but good specimens
of
these
issues are of sufficient rarity to deserve reproduction.

A.
(ex Newell Coll.). Iomm., 2.01grm.
ANs
PLATE
Similar to BM
No.
73
Africa. Type I.
ix,
55.
IV
(p. 21), but inscriptions imperfectly

A.
preserved.
(ex Newell Coll.). Iomm., 1.36grm.
ANs
PLATE
56.
Spain. Type
III.
Year
IV
93.
INOCXI.
(ex Newell,
ANs
ex
A'.
and
92
to
ix,
(p. 24), Codera, pp. 4651. Obverse in

Similar
BM
No.
scriptions completely preserved: ININ2LFRTIN2PNANNXCIII
Campaner
Coll.).
12.5mm., 4.26grm.
PLATE IV
Nusayr.
as
Same type
Paris,
i,
Msa
b.
57.
Nos.
120-124,
but the variant inscriptions
NI........
.
NIIVSI&MVS
MIR(?)
.
.
Rev.: reading from top counter-clockwise
Obv.: reading from top clockwise (upside down)

(right side up) XVX.
are worth recording:
AE, ANS.
I5mm., 2.90grm.
PLATE
IV
C. BYzANTINE-ARAB
Copper
who undertakes
do
the scholar
to a
of
to
of
use
of
These may
complete publication
described.
be
of
in
Among the approximately fifty Byzantine-Arab coppers

the
types commonly
collection
ANS there are several varieties
16
be
this series, but the varieties

not seem
reproducing
quite
me
worth
here. The few
unusual pieces are
described below.
to

Copper
BYZ ANT IN E - A R A B COPPER
Harrn.
X-P-A.
Beneath: obscure,
Beaded border.
(?)
(Adler).
AE
52
Cf. Ties, No.
IS
Beaded border.
I.
At
&l_-
At
+Q
-->
r.:
At
l.:
Caliph standing. At
1:
58.
ANs (ex
IV
PLATE
Qinnasrin.
Bearded head
facing.
R.
by
of
Paris, described
Caliph
in
to
(?),
is
[]-->
From the eyebrows downward the face
better preserved than
AE.
spite
in
so
This coin
is
bare-headed.
of
reproduce
in
that
it
coins should not be described
its as
on
in
to on
of
on the Paris specimen, but not unfortunately the upper part

the
head,
part
argument
which Cottevieille-Giraudet
bases his
Caliph
reply
suggestion"
Byzantine-Arab
Walker's
that the
curious
poor preservation.
ANs (ex
Wood Coll.). 16mm., 2.12grm.

PLATE
Letters
C!
e.
center:
In
I,
of
BM
standing,
Heraclius
Nos. 2ff, (pp. 4-6).
at ix,
r.
as
Figure
obscure.
\s,
Beneath:
Beaded border.
AE.
all
Beaded border.
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
20mm., 4.01grm.
125.
17
1935,
J.
NC,
p.
PLATE
Walker,
IV
&P
Uncertain Mint.
60.
19

that
the Cabinet des Mdailles,
Cottevieille-Giraudet, RN, 1935, pp. 227-8.
very rare coin similar
59.
IV
RAR E
Uncertain Mint.
In
Caliph standing. Traces of legupwards,

end at
center:
J.
.
.
.
l.,
&E->
(3)
Beaded border.
Around: beginning
at
61.
IS LA M I C CO INS
top,
up
y
J1
yl
J1
J3-2
4J)
.
.
side down,
ANs (ex
18
PLATE

AE.
Beaded border.
IV
II. THE POST-REFORM UMAYYAD

COINAGE
A. GoLD
Of
ANS
the thirty-three Umayyad dinars in the
collection the
following seven merit publication."
A.H. = 709/10 A.D. One-third dinar.

Within circle:
Within circle: 1 J1 y
all y
91
Margin: Qurn, IX, 33, to 3-J)

A.
to 94
J-J)
s-
- -dl
-->
ANs (Greenwood). 14mm., 1.42grm.

PLATE IV
is
to
i,
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
J-yu
above, but rev. margin:
(ex Newell,
ex
A'.
similar specimen was published

ANs
cull
Longprier
Campaner
-->
** 3:
(Ties, No. 497).
Coll.).
15mm., 1.43grm.
19
|
III
The American Numismatic Society Museum Notes,

and 92.
87
in
PLATE
19a Listed
57, 75, 84,
IV
A.H. =720/1 A.D. One-third dinar.

lie
102
by
no.
62
As
Al-Andalus. Year
to
16.5mm, 2.11grm.
PLATE
65.
the
1.
i,
half dinar, although the legend reads &l:

A'.
standard
ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 12mm., 1.07grm.

PLATE IV
A.H. =714/5 A.D. One-half dinar.

BM No. 20, but both size and weight conform
Year
Similar
64.
of to 96
A'.
of
17,
A.H. =712/3 A.D. One-quarter dinar.

Similar
BM No.
but &&- (sic), and the weight
that
quarter dinar, although the legend appears
read &d).
Year
63.

(-:
c-J)
Margin:
3-3
J)
lie
Year
62.
IV
(1948), Nos. 43, 53,
IS LA M I C CO
R A RE
INS
Madin Amir al-Mu'minin bi'l-Hijaz.

Year 105 A.H. =723/4 A.D.
66.
e-A-9
c)-Aaa
all
eu*_*
+
- J|
* * ~.J3
J| y
Yl
J1
J-51] U-l
Margin: Qurn, IX, 33, to
5\ad-u
J-
Margin:
als'
**
J--> <- L.-J., 1* +---
A. ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 20mm., 4.16grm.

PLATE IV
This extraordinary issue, of which there were four specimens

(from two sets of dies) in the Princesse Ismail Collection, was
partially described and discussed by P. Casanova
its
of the duplicates in Casanova's
the uniqueness
it
in
E.
T.
of
Mr.
way into the market and

Newell, who presented
events the extreme rarity
the mint, The mine
of
ANS. At
the
all
1929
into the hands
of
to
eventually
the coin and
the Commander
the
of
of
the problem
he
to
to
identifying this mine.
collect material relating

an
years,
In to
period
of
over
in
Believers
the Hijz, contribute
the singular interest
this
writing
proceeded,
issue. After
the brief note cited above Casanova
21 20
approximately 41 20'
Casanova, Nos. 162-3,
be
at
N. The
23 30'
3976-7, and pp.
Arab historians record
IV-VI.
of
on
Mecca,
mine
identified
Medina and
the route between Baghdad and Mecca,
E.,
north-west
of
with Madin (later Harrah) Bani Sulaim, southeast
of to
is
the Believers
the Hijz
of
all
of
the Commander
in
the undoubtedly correct conclusion that the
of
arrived
at
he
of
of
in
article
which
made use
all the
geographical
sources,
available Arabic historical and
the accounts
modern travellers and explorers, and
the existing maps,
substance
at
the
de
la
de
in
20
is
of
Arabia until the most recent times
the cartography
of
of
state
be
et
au
de
presented
of
his study
the geographical section
the
Congrs des socits savantes
Strasbourg, and published the full monograph under
Hidjz,
Gographie (Comit des
the title, Une Mine d'or
Bulletin
Section
XXXV,
historiques
scientifiques),
(Paris,
1921), pp. 69-125.
travaux
Vol.
Year 1920
These coordinates, through no fault
M. Casanova's, cannot
trusted. The chaotic
Casanova
22

inventory, which later perhaps found
of of
may be that the present coin is one
of
It
as early as 1896.
notorious.
U MAYYA
GOLD
that the Umayyad Caliph Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz (99-101 A.H.)

bought a piece of land, on which there was at least one mine, from
the son of a certain Bill b. al-Hrith, to whom the property had
been given
in fief by the Prophet; and Casanova has amply demon
strated that this mine was the source of the gold as well as the mint
of our coin. While this dinar was struck five years after the death
of the Caliph whose personal property the mine was, it is not sur
prising to find the name of the mint still in use.
There
seems
to me little doubt that the Madin
Bani Sulaim is
further to be identified with Mahad Dahab (~3 +), the site

of the gold mine now being worked by the Saudi Arabian Mining
1941
Mr. Twitchell was kind
photograph
of an
my disposition
of
In
N.
2329'52"
to
place
extremely
to
be
of
of
to
in
interesting Kufic inscription found

the old tailings
the mine,
publish this inscription together with
and hope soon
able
further discussion
the probable identity
Mahad Dahab
in
to
of
of
of
and the Mine

the Commander
the Believers
the Hijz.
The inscription, dated 304 A.H. =916/7 A.D., records the building
great highway for the pilgrimage
Mecca.
Year
107
A.H. =725/6 A.D.
Khedivial Library, No. 41, except that the points under

are lacking.
ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 20mm., 4.19grm.
A.
J3
of
instead
to
Similar
A.H. =728/9 A.D.

BM
No. 32" (p. 28),
U+2.
except that ten
IV
written 3_42,
size, weight, fabric and style this dinar
is
110
ix,
Year
In
68.
is
PLATE
atypi
its
Similar
to
67.
of
of
an
21
in
in
in
at
in
of
p.
S.
K.
*I *
Twitchell, Saudi Arabia, with

Cf.
Account
the Development
Natural
Resources (Princeton, N.J., 1947),
146.
presented the substance
this inscription
short paper entitled Two Epigraphical
Documents from Mahad Dhahab
the Hidjz, before the American Oriental Society
April, 1947.
Washington, D.C.
annual meeting
its

at 40 52' 45
enough
at
E.,
Syndicate Ltd., under the management of the American Smelting

and Refining Company. I owe to Mr. K. S. Twitchell the knowl
edge of many interesting facts in connection with this mine, located
IS LA M I C CO I NS
RARE
It
cal.
issue
is possibly a contemporary forgery but more probably the
of some temporary mint.

A.
ANs. 24mm., 4.08grm.
IV
PLATE
B. SILVER
There are more than 230 Umayyad dirhams of the reformed type
in the ANS. Of these the following are worthy of notice:
Arminiyah. Year 100 A.H. =718/9 A.D.

Similar to BM i, No. 48, except that there is no point in the rev.
69.
Pellet under
...
the earliest date
of
A.3 out
is &
of
i,
to
this mint
me.
ANs
(ex Nies Coll.). 27mm., 2.46grm. (ringed)

PLATE
Ifriqiyah. Year 102 A.H. =720/1 A.D.

Similar
BM
No. 53 (p. 30), but
AR.
to
of
known
BM
A.H. =716/7 A.D.
No. 54, but date

and under
3-3. This
not omitted.
ANs. 29mm, 2.82grm.
PLATE
A.H. =734/5 A.D.

BM No. 56, but
i,
Two
116
specimens similar
to
Ifriqiyah. Year
72.
date: 2-3 2-4
AR.
us
to
ix,
71.
-- ~
PLATE
A.H. =741/2 A.D.

4.e3 &=
ANs. 27mm.,
2.87grm.
Tiesenhausen's reference under his No. 543,

there
this peculiar fabric and style.
22
of
of
access
110 described
is
Lacking
the dinar
to
PLATE
<!-3
R.
No. 58, but date:
124
&
BM
i,
Similar
to
Ifriqiyah. Year
73.
AR.
(a) R.ANs. 28mm., 2.91grm.

(b)
GCM. 23mm, 2.25grm. (clipped)

Similar
98
Ifriqiyah. Year
70.
"
PLATE
AR.
arC2.
cannot tell whether
al-Awsat. Year
A.H. =708/9 A.D.
No. 43, but mint and date:

AR.
--
&:-
-3W suit:
ANs.
26.5mm, 2.75grm. (formerly ringed)
BM
i,
Similar
90
Bihqubadh
to
74.
U MAYYAD SILVER
PLATE
Of
(al-Al, Upper, al-Awsat, Middle,
the three Bihqubadh's
BM
98
No. 69,
Similar
A.H. =716/7 A.D.

but date: 3-3 Ju.
of
al-Al.
Al-Taymarrah. Year
i,
75.
to
is
one; and none
of
of
of
of
and al-Asfal, Lower), four specimens are known (all

the year
al-Asfal; two specimens
al-Awsat,
90)
which the present
27mm., 2.72grm.
PLATE
under
"...
"...
curiously written;
of
which
33:1;
under
&-l.
ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 28mm., 2.72grm.

PLATE
very
of
properly read,
is
the mint name
is
This unique coin,
if
AR.
[f]=::\:
&21
21
mint and date:
3-3
under
A.H. =712/3 A.D.
43, but
is
i,
No.
g
of
of
lia;
Year
BM
under
of
Points:
Similar
to
Al-Janzah(?).
on
to
of is
be
However,
and the
3.
the cast), and there
ap
believe
or
is
taken
correct. Janzah
the early
Kanja (Elizabetpol),
Tvgaxa, Ganjah,
to
that the reading can

Arabic orthography
the
be
stroke between
the reproduction
of
be
a
pears
to
coin itself, but not
in
(it
by
is
of
curiously
considerable interest. The writing
the mint name
bungled, probably
uneven striking, with the result that the
definite article has scarcely any relief
clear
the eye
the
p.
in
T.
p.
23
p.
S.
in
of
to
in
E.
II,
in
in
26
Rogers Collection (NC, 1874), one

One
the
the Bibliothque Nationale, one
my own. Cf. Walker (Arab-Sassanians),
cix,
the Khedivial Collection, and one
note 2.
my attention: Ulla
The other, also
the year 9o, only recently came
Linder
NNA, 1941,
Welin, Ein grosser Fund Arabischer Mnzen aus Stora Velinge, Gotland
p. 94.
132; and Le Strange, Lands,
*Cf. Yqt,
178.

76.
94
AR. ANS.
R A R E IS
LA M I C CO I NS
Arrn between Bard and Tiflis, in what is
an important city of
now Karabagh. The existence of this mint-name on an issue of the

reformed coinage is important collaborative evidence of the probable
validity of Mordtmann's and Walker's attribution of an Arab-Sas
dirham to KNjA (Kanja).
In Markov's inventory of the Ermitage Collection a dirham of
Djanze, also of the year 94, is listed (p. 4, No. 106); it is probably
identical with the present specimen, although I do not know what
sanian
to make
of the parenthetical description, polovinka. Is only half
of the coin preserved, or is it
Jundi Sbr. Year 90 A.H. =708/9 A.D.

(ex Newell Coll.). 26mm., 2.48grm. (frag. lacking)
ANs
J:
but mint and date:
J--> <-
W.
J:-"
Clark (New York). 25mm, 2.65grm.
exceedingly rare
961,
BM
A.H., and
has been
No. 25").
A.H. =699/700 A.D.
No. 43, but mint and date:
&:
Similar
i,
Dasht-Maysn. Year
to
78.
(Markov,
80
recorded
p.
of
of
of
mint.
know only
issues
the years 84, 85, and
my knowledge only one other specimen
the year
85
86
an
is
be
to
confused with Ardabil,
AR.
3'-- ~~
ANs. 26mm.,
2.69grm.
p.
II,
cf.
24
ZDMG,
1879,
p.
Mordtmann, Zur Pehlevi Mnzkunde

op.cit., pp. cxx, cxxxv, and cxli.
*"Yqt,
pp. 548-9;
Le Strange, Lands,
182.
Walker,
am aware, the only

in
far
as
so
is,
unique, and
D.
A.
is
PLATE
This coin
to
43,
L.
85
No.
PLATE
Dabil, not
A.H. =704 A.D.
AR.
BM
i,
Similar
to
Dabil. Year
77a.

PLATE
AR.
G-:
but date:
BM i, No.
Similar to
*-
74,
77.
half-dirham?
131,
appear
No. 95;
MAYYAD SILVER
of this mint in the reformed coinage. Maysn and Dasht-Maysn

(Dasht-i Maysn) were districts in Irq.
ance
Dimishq.
79.
Year
Similar to BM
A.H. =736 A.D.
118
i, No.
but unlike the
113,
BM
specimen, the weight
AR.
is up to standard.
A.H. =748/9 A.D.
131
No.
141.
(ex Newell Coll.). 24.5mm., 2.86grm.
ANs
p.
or
in
an
article entitled Mesenisches
NZ, IX,
but date: g--->

ANs.
27mm, 2.75grm. (pierced)
but date: g--->

ANs (ex
to
Ju:
Newell Coll.). 27.5mm., 2.91grm.

PLATE
108
A.H. =726/7 A.D.
AR.
i,
to
Similar
BM
No. 148, but date: *3 Juclipped and the annulets are therefore off the flan.
ANs
The coin
is
Al-Kfah. Year
(ex Starosselsky Coll.). 23.5mm., 1.93grm.

PLATE
83.
133,
g;
No.
<-
BM
me.
A.H. =710/11 A.D.

AR.
Similar
to
Surraq. Year
92
the earliest issue of this mint known
i,
This
is
PLATE
132,
No.
<-
90
A.H. =708/9 A.D.

AR.
BM
i,
Sarakhs. Year
Similar
82.
set
pp. 270-273.
to
81.
in
by
1877,
Otto Blau
Cf. Le Strange, Lands, pp. 42,80; and Walker, BM (Arab-Sassanians), pp. cxvii-cxviii,
cxl, where mention
made
the existence
this dirham.
Nassar, Quarterly, Dept.
Antiquities
Palestine, XIII, Nos. 3-4,
**Cf.
121.
in
25
p.
of
of
of
G.
N.
is

forth
to
ii,
Characene, near the capital Spasinu-Charax,
later (BM
221) corrected
cogent argument for identifying
Besamia
Lane-Poole, and
read al-Smiyah. The full and
al-Smiyah with Baesamsa
of
This mint was originally read al-Shmiyah
is
AR.
BM
i,
to
Similar
Year
by
Al-Smiyah.
80.
(ex Newell Coll.). 26.5mm, 2.89grm.
ANs
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R A R E
Al-Kufah. Year
84.
BM
but mint and date:
141,
** J.--> &- ~
**Qu

PLATE
be
of
is
no
no
ex
other
of
know from published notices,
of
ample
far
as
There
so
is,
AR.
Similar to
A.H. =744/5 A.D.
127
i, No.
of
of
without
me
the revolutionary
be
In
to
view
no
supported
third and fourth
the
likelihood
view
of
be
course cannot
ex
the
85
of
amplesthat there were

regular issues
al-Kufah after 128
below), and that the published specimens attributed
(see No.
should read
4.23
p.
Nouvelles Contributions
Numismatique
<
*sju
von Zambaur,
NZ,
Orientale,
116, no. 401.

AR.
1914,
3W
i,
but mint and date:

piece was published
141,
in
&
*3
BM
No.
An identical
to
Similar
A.H. =745/6 A.D.
128
by
Al-Kufah. Year
85.
127.
E.
129
la
to
the year
ANs

PLATE
of
162,
but date:
g:
No.
A.H. =699/700 A.D.

<AR.
80
Year
BM
of
of
Similar
to
Mandhir.
y.
r*-
i,
with
86.
p.
ix,
is
regular Umayyad issue. All other specimens

This
this
35), with the exception
mint and date (e.g., BM
No. 150",
abu-Muslim,
Zambaur's piece, are
the revolutionary type
of
26
to
this mint known
the earliest issue
This
of
PLATE
is

which
the others.
the year 128, there would seem
of
of
strokes than between any

issues
be
slightly more space between
of
to
appears
be
While the first stroke may
there
the first four strokes

the digit.
little higher than the others, there
to of
between
any
the question,
as
not entirely out
of
clear separation
is
127,
rather than
of
Kfah issue
this date. That this specimen may
published specimens)
the year 129 (of which there are number
me.
MAYYAD SILVER
Maysn. Year 79 A.H. =698/9 A.D.

Similar to BM i, No. 43, but mint and date:
87.
- 3
-,
ANs. 26mm, 2.53grm.

PLATE
AR.
3-3 c-
A.D.
170,
...
sa-
ANs
No.
but date:
G-3
:-
BM
A.H. =714/5 A.D.
170,
c.-
Year
i,
Similar
to
Hamadhn.
96
PLATE
89.
The
g.
i,
but date: g---is

usual, defectively written 3...a.
No.
709/10
91
A.H.
AR.
as
BM
is,
Similar
mint name
to
Hamadhn. Year
88.
The an
nulets are clipped off the flan.

25mm., 2.31 grim.
classified
roughly
various
five categories:
in
reformed types. These may
be
The ANS collection contains over 300 Umayyad fuls
of
C. CoPPER
with (a) the simplest religious legends, (b) less common

religious inscriptions, (c) animals and birds and other adjuncts,
(d) dates but
mint names, and (e) mint names, with
without
these types
with more
do or
pro
few
of
the first category.
not
less identical legends have been accurately
the present publication.
The student who

all
task not appropriate
to
is
be
of
tell whether
impossible
to
is
given type has

not. Certainly the classification
these early
anonymous coppers
something that should
undertaken, but this
or it
reproduced that
been published
the pieces
in
describe any
of
with governors' names. At present

or
pose
to
dates, sometimes
So
no
those
is
27
to
to
study should have access

undertakes such
the larger col
lections, and
attempting
determine the provenance should
travel throughout the former Umayyad lands, gathering the evi
in

AR. ANS.
IS LA M I C
RAR E
CO
I NS
for copper seldom travels far. Above all, he

should make full use of the mass of excavation specimens, the vast
majority of them unpublished but doubtless stored in the basements
and closets of many museums in Europe and America.
Of the remaining four categories I describe a few here which
appear to me, without exhaustive search for similar published types,
dence
on the spot,
to be worthy of notice.
No mint (?), or date.
Within square: Fish to
At
At
At
J1
J|
e-A-9
?
Marginal legend
1.
-->
top:
J3-2
J)
bottom:
AE. ANS.
?)
Annulet (or inscription
I5mm., 3.19grm.
VI
No mint
.
.
~~
Torrey Coll.). 15mm., 2.52grm.
r.
to
date.
Scroll
J1
[1]
Margin:
ANs (ex Newell,
y y or
92.
Within beaded circle:

ex
marginal legend
AE.
Traces
of
Within beaded circle: duck
All
date.
or
91.
AE.
all
ANs. 16mm.,
93.
No mint
or
PLATE
5.07grm.
VI
date.

-->ea
J1
y!
to
l.
Lion crouching
Around: 2-3 J1
J3-2
J)
Margin within beaded circle:

AE,
OOOOOO
ANS. 15mm.,
of
To my knowledge only three

the Umayyad
years 101, 116 and 120 A.H. (NHR, Nos.
28
Al-Rayy,
coppers
in
PLATE
33

PLATE
No mint (?),
at
r.
Within square:
l.:
90.
the
ANS
26, 30, and 31B).
2.63grm.
VI
have been published:
U MAYYAD COPPER
No mint. Year
94.
107
A.H. =725/6 A.D.
Double struck and obscure.
J-M1 lia. .
AE.
All
(?)
AE.
No mint. Year
Within circle:
y
Within circle:
!
J)
all
3
AE.
Adharbayjn.
r.
y
y!
J)
J3
the mint name are obscure, but
AE.
little doubt about the reading.

ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
18mm., 1.92grm.
PLATE
29
be
The two letters before the
of
J1
-->
&\2:23
J.
No date.
All
believe there can
(ex Starosselsky Coll.). 21mm., 4.59grm.
ANs
beaded circle:
A-
*-
-->
Margin: (sic)
-->
.
.
is
--!
--all
Margin: (sic)
Within
A.H. =734/5 A.D.
&_*
J|
y!
116
ANs
-3 J)

al
*...
96.
97.
<
e
o
o
[ell,
3:23
J%3
-
.
.
AU1
.
.
.
.
[-]3
beaded circle:
[1]
O
A.H. =727/8 A.D.
Within
109
No mint. Year

PLATE VI
95.
-->
J3-2
. .
&-
Margin:
Area illegible
VI
R AR E
98.
Mint
No
IS LA M I C CO I NS
date.
all
A-e-Pea
y! y
all
Within triple beaded circle:
J3-2
All
e-A-5
Coll.).
24mm., 3.60grm.
PLATE VI
J.J.'s", assuming the
might
be
puzzling.
ANs (ex Newell
It
The mint name
is
AE.
Margin
is
be
of
be
to
defectively written. But the omission

the definite article
irregular, and the fabric
would
not Andalusian.
Ba'alabak. No date.
In
center, star
within circle
Margin: (sic) ell." (*).,
y y
J1 J1
(sic)
"--
AE.
-A-9
Dimishq.
No
ANs (ex Newell
*A*-*
Yl y
all
Within partly beaded circle:
J3-2
all
at
A-3
Outside circle,
Outside circle,
top:
3*-* -->
3+*-*
AE.
ANs (ex Newell
top:
*-*
Coll.).
23mm., 2.92grm.
PLATE VI
SR (?). No date.
All!
Margin:
ANs (ex Newell
30
R.
J-
J-M1
lia -->
Coll.).
-A-9
.
.
all
J3-2
all
*A*-*
y!
Within triple beaded circle:
101.
15mm., 2.66grm.
PLATE VI
date.
Within circle:
All
Coll.).
at
100.

99.
22mm., 3.42grm.
PLATE VI
U MAYYAD COPPER
There is
the end and the beginning of the mar

perhaps omitted: Surraq, a known mint at which
a space between
ginal legend. Is Q
Umayyad dirhams were struck?
Surr, nor Sirr, seems
Neither
likely.
(?). Year 110(?) A.H. =728/9 (?) A.D.

J1 y
Lion crouching to l.
Tabariyah
102.
At bottom,
All y!
downwards:
A-3
Margin:
Margin: 53
3-[3]ll
*3
. . .
AE.
J3-2
AUl
U+*
Coll.).
ANs (ex Wood
(3)
-A-Pve
&_cla.
. .
17mm., 4.47grm.
PLATE VI
Jel: the Commander
of
#1
&
ordered honesty.
the Believers
Atrib; Misr. No date [132 A.H. =750 A.D.].

center, within beaded circle:
center, within beaded circle:
Margin:
J-31
401
-e
33-,
AE.
->l 33-,
&
Margin:
*_
dull -->
ANs.
[s-.] ge
18.5mm., 4.89grm.
almost
all
of
only one other specimen
VI
this humble but
respects, other than the critical reverse
identical with several known copper issues
of
it
area,
fals.
is
markable
of
am aware
In
PLATE
re
_*
In
In
103.
the last
76.
by
Yqt, III,
p.
b.
at
b.
of
Umayyad Finance Director

Egypt, Adb al-Malik
Marwn
Ms, struck
Fustt, Fayym and, perhaps, Iskandariyah. These
of
is
of
Paris
Nos. 1494-5, Berlin
Nos. 2028a,b (p. 376), Ties., No. 655, Khedivial
Nos. 843-4; Paris
No. 1496; Khedivial Library, No. 845. Cf. my AGW, pp. 95-6.
31
i,
i,
i,
See
Library,
be
it
of
to
its
drawing
the latter work. Due

legend and consequently
of
this imperfectly preserved specimen appears

the title-page
poor preservation Blau had difficulty with the reverse marginal
ventured certain ingenious but certainly erroneous philological
observations. His identification
the reverse area inscription, however,
identical with mine.
may
think
assumed that the Odessa specimen and the present one are
the same issue.
1876, No. 35.
on
zu
in
in
In
NZ, VI-VII (1874-1875), under

the Odessa Museum, first published
Otto Blau
the title Nachlese orientalischer Mnzen, pp. 9-10, and subsequently
Die orientalischen
Odessa,
Mnzen des Museums der Kaiserlichen Historisch-Archologischen Gesellschaft
84a

part:
in
must have read
\s,
Both the mint and the date are very doubtful. The obverse margin
is
lieve
ATRIB
intended and that the reading
in
the
of
the present piece looks more like
the specific
word
the
J,
on
Although the final letter
the reverse.
reverse area
the obverse, and the name
is
mint
of
on
all
Misr (Egypt)
bear
of
IS LA M I C CO I NS
RARE
be
H, KH,
almost certainly
Atrib, sometimes more correctly rendered Athrib,
is
COrreCt.
the Arabic
in
of
over-simplification: we cannot fail

Egyptian Hat-te-her-be (or Ha-to-heri-ab),
to
of
say the
to
reckon with ancient

and Assyrian Hatha
riba.
of
leaden tokens
the third century, inscribed
A6GIBIC.".
more than passing interest and perhaps suggestive
of It
Trajan and Hadrian for the nome A8PIBITHC,

of
of
think,
and
of
pre-Arab numismatic history: we know, for example,
bronze issues
is,
of
Atrib had
III,
is
pp. 111-12, and
Egypt,
2070.
Atrib (Athrib) figures frequently
the history
of
ii,
is
in
of
p.
Athribis,
Yqt,
I,
cf.
name,
in
in
his day
given
Arab mints
the earliest specific
pp. 762-3, where Atrib

de
the district (krah)
which the chief town was Ayn Shams (Heliopolis),
ruins, nothing remaining but ancient monuments. The pre-Arab literature
Pauly-Wissowa, Real-Encyclopdie der Classischen
Altertum swissenschaft,
s.v.
For the Arabic
scribed
appear
in
(?)
in as
86
Alexandria
as
to
Byzantinist and Arabist alike, that Atrib

further profitable study
and Fayyum (Arsinoe), which along with Fustt (old Cairo) and
the Persian and Arab
of
J.
cf.
Egypt;
de
de
ii,
Numorum,
864, and
G.
Cf. Head, Historia
Dattari,
Numi Augg.
Alexandrini
32
Leaden Tokens"
in
Milne, Egyptian
Dattari, op. cit., No. 6415, and

pp. 307-9.
G.
1901), Nos. 6213-6216.
J.
(Cairo,
p.
in
* **
of
in
Butler, The Arab Conquest

Egypt and the Last Thirty
Alfred
Years
the Roman Dominion (Oxford, 1902), passim.
pp. 394-6; also Yqt, loc. cit.
Cf. Mas'udi, Murilj,
l'gypte
Roug, Monnaies des Nomes
Cf. Pauly-Wissowa, loc. cit., and Jacques
RN, n.s. Vol. XV, pp. 49-50.
campaigns

least,
Egypt was
is,
of
of
of
an
Nh (Noah); Atrib's brothers, among whom the rest

divided, were Qubt (Copt), Ashmn and S. This
of an
to
their best etymological tradition, ascribed the name

Misr, son
Hm, son
eponymous Atrib, son
Baysar, son
in
Arabs,
in
of
in
an
of
'A6puSs, capital
form
the vous'A6puffirms,
Lower Egypt,
important town
early Arab, Byzantine and ancient times,
situated north
Cairo near modern Benha,
the delta. The
NC,
1930,
UMAYYAD COPPER
were two of four towns (Memphis and Oxyrhynchus
others) whose names occur on the leaden tokens.
being the
Al-Mawsil. No date.
104.
Within partly beaded circle:

All
J1
J3-2
all
*A*-*
--
--all
Margin, within partly beaded
Ji yi Ji y Ji
chu:
ning
specimens, from different dies,
lie "La
Ju-all L
J-31u
marginal legends begin
on
Two
J-M1
-->
the
circle:
Margin, within beaded circle:
of
AE,
GCM (Damascus,
specimen
105. Wsit. Year 108
1935). 22, 19.5mm., 3.84, 5.22grm.
y
|
J1
J3-D
&_*
AE.
J1
**
Jus:
this year
any
of
published Wsit fals
in
ANs (ex Nies Coll.). 21mm., 2.47grm.
of
no
Margin, within circle:

*-13: J-M1
-->
.
@)
AUl
@)
@)
Soret.
Within circle:
All
is
There
104a)
A.H. =726/7 A.D.
2-3
Annulets:
VI (No.
this coin was published
-->ea
yl
Within double circle:
of
An imperfect
is
is
to
reproduction.
satisfactory
PLATE
the large
collections.
Finally
.
.
.
307.
Fraehn, Mm.
Soc. Imp. d'archologie,
33
28
op. cit.,
Lettre
Ties., No. 2635.
**
Cf. Milne,
of
do
p.
to
be
include six obscure cast coins, probably Umayyad but

possibly early Abbsid, and probably from northern Syria.
not
attempt
identify them further, but the reproductions may

the other, but unfortunately the latter
by
quite clear
permit
too smooth
it
trated;
on
is
on
at
quite different points

each specimen. The governor's
name, al-Dahhk,
imperfectly preserved
the specimen illus
St. Petersburg,
1851,
No.
RARE
IS LA M I C
C O
I NS
use to someone who,
it is to be hoped, will one day attempt the

classification of these crude cast coins. A large number of cast coins
of similar fabric and style was found in the Princeton excavations
at Antioch: some of these are described in my report on the Islamic
coins of Antioch."
106.
Obscure inscriptions.
Cross surrounded by four large

pellets.
Two
of different dies.
specimens,
AE
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
17mm, 2.25, 2.05grm.
18,
PLATE
VI (No.
106a)
107.
all
*A*->ea
All
J3-2
AE.
ANs

PLATE
VI
108.
(?)-1-yl
AE.
Obscure three-line inscription
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.). 16mm,
PLATE
I09.
cs" gle
(*)-3-
(*)cial
AE.
J-y
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
2.17grm.
VI
16mm., 1.87grm.
PLATE VI
II.O.
Within circle:
>y
yi y
(sic)
Annulets, within outer circle:
CSU->
Annulets, within outer circle:

AE.
all
Within circle:
PLATE
IV,
Part One (Princeton,
34
Antioch-on-the-Orontes,
**
In

All
VI
1948), Nos. 148-153, pp. 118-19.
III. THE ABBASID COINAGE

In the description of Abbsid
following space-saving
coins the
conventions have been observed. Unless otherwise noted the obverse
J1 y
area is understood to read: y!
-3 J1
and the reverse area:
&L
...--
J3-2
J)
Supplementary words or symbols in the obverse and reverse areas

horizontal line, indicating their posi
tion relative to the conventional inscription. In the gold described
are given above and beneath
the silver
noted
23
3-0
in &
4:
--
3:4) Gle
is
--
3/3
In
J-5
4.
the
each occurrence.
IX,
both the gold and the silver the Qur'anic verse
33%"
L-yl
the outer obverse margin;
on
these verses
-3.3 3.3
3-4,
in
are present
in
of
4)
presence
s-Ju
33, a.s...]
4-21 [4])
J3-2
understood. Reverse central pellets are not noted;

determine when these are simply centering points
ornament, the distinction perhaps
on
in
and when they are

the nature
depending
the size.
of
difficul,
to is
the silver)
is
it in
in
or
of
of
is
or
always present
more
less complete,
the reverse margin. The
first part
the mint-date formula preceding the name
the mint
margin
gold,
margin
(obverse inner
the
obverse
inner margin
A. GoLD"
tofore described,
of
111-137. Twenty-five
mintless dinars, differing from those here
the years 138, 142, 147, 149, 153, 160 167, 168, 170,
171, 177, 178, 184, 187, 196, 199, 201, 202, 203
At
and 205, and two dinars

of
in
of
writing there are 120 Abbsid dinars

the date
the Museum
the American
Society; the University Museum Collection contains 206. Of these the specimens
notice; the rest are well-known,
relatively
described
the following pages are worthy
43
of
35
issues.
well-known,
or
Numismatic
in

--~ 3:30 C-4
XXX,
is
the Qurnic verses
here
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R A R E
of Misr, dated 203 and 216 A.H., published in Some Early Arab
Dinars." Of these seventeen are in the UM Collection and ten
in the ANS.
138.
-U
Misr. Year 222 A.H. =836/7 A.D.

J:V-3 &L-23 &:)
-TET
all
A. UM. 20.5mm., 4.05grm. (pierced)
4.e3 &21
"...a
As above.
specimen
in
is
a
There
of
A'.
3:V3 &
A.H. =838/9 A.D.
this issue
ANs. 18.5mm., 3.34grm.
the Ermitage
(Markov,
p.
San'a. Year 224
139.
44,
in
of
Surra man-ra'a, Year 226
J.-->
--
A.H. =840/1 A.D.
sl-
J:
W.
140.
--
As above.
A. UM. 2Imm., 4.13grm.
is,
To my knowledge this
by
PLATE
VII
five years, the earliest recorded dinar
&:V-9 3-4-3 &-
Madinat al-Salm. Year
141.
227
f>0~
in
of
Samarra, and only two years later than the earliest dirham.
Samarra became the temporary Abbsid capital
221 A.H."
A.H. =841/2 A.D.
"
Gl,
9,
ANs. 21mm.,
III
Av.
Allu
4.08grm.
(1948), Nos.
14, 21, 23, 32,
The American Numismatic Society. Museum Notes
43, 57, 60, 61, 68, 69, 83, 84, 85, 96, 104, 121, 126, 131, 136, 138, 141, 143, 144, 147,
148 and 160.
Dinar, 231, A.H., Berlin, No. 1449; dirham, 224 A.H., Ties., No. 1860.
36
s.v. Smarr.
of
I.,
45a
E.

of
No. 781, not described). Only two earlier gold coins

San are
known,
the years 221 and 223, both
the Bibliothque Nationale.
ABB As ID GoLD
There is a dinar of the same mint and year in the Ermitage

(Markov, p. 44, No. 788= Ties, No. 2855, not described).
142.
&:V: J.L*3
143.
&V.
Year 229
San'a.
&:V3 &
144.
&
A.H. =842/3 A.D.
Madinat al-Salm. Year 228
4.e3
(3-)
A. UM.22mm., 4.04grm. (pierced)
--
A.H. =843/4 A.D.
&-
&:V3 & #3
As above.
(5-
As above.
231
f>J)
A.
ANs. 20.5mm., 3.48grm.
A.H. =845/6 A.D.

As above.
145.
Al-Muhammadiyah.
Year 245
in NHR, No.
130
A'.
Described
A.H. =859/60 A.D.
B.
ANs (ex Starosselsky
Coll.).
19mm., 4.25grm.
Misr. Year 247 A.H. =861/2 A.D.

4-13
--
&:V3
&
146.
&-
all
All Gle J33:ll
known: Constantinople
Surra man-ra'a. Date illegible=Dec.
--
597.
861-June 862 A.D.
ab-
is
T.J.

37
PLATE
ANs
All
breviated and illegible, but

the mint
almost certain.
A.
No.
...
sl-
The mint-date formula
is
*-
147.
is
One similar specimen
UM. 18mm., 4.1ogrim.
II,
5-all
A.
4JW

A. UM. 22mm., 4.05grm.
VII
of
in
is
It
the British Museum."
A.H. =863/4 A.D.
249
*-
Marw. Year
&:V:
3-4-13 C-:
:--
All
J.'"
W.
All
&
J-31) ---
J-- ~
UM. 22mm., 4.11grm. (pierced)

PLATE VII
-:
Marw. Year 250 A.H. =864/5 A.D.
&:V:
As above.
Misr. Year
&:V-3
2-3
5th line:
ANs
A.H. =869 A.D.

J--> <-
255
4th line effaced.
3:31)
--
"
4th line effaced.
SJ
5th line:
3:31) ---
A. UM. 23.5mm., 4.22grm.
was undoubtedly issued
VII
by
most interesting coin.
It
This
is
PLATE
the
of
of
on
38
p.
of
the Caliphate, NC, 1919,

|
Allan, Unpublished Coins
J.
al-Mu'tazz,
that the traces are not still visible
completely
of
removingbut not
the preceding Caliph
the year 255
of
cut, used old dies
so
ture
gouging out the lines

the dies. There can
being informed
doubt that the mint-master,
the investi
al-Muhtadi and before new dies bearing his name had been
of
be
no
actually obliterated
on
by
on
of
on
at
in
Caliph al-Muhtadi
the early months, probably
the very begin
ning,
his brief reign. The names
the fourth lines
the obverse
and reverse areas are not simply effaced
the coin, they were
46

A.
As above.
150.
J.-ll
31)
A.
,->
149.
INS
know, only one other published dinar

the
Caliph al-Muntasir, also struck
Samarra and with
far
the date 248 preserved.

148.
CO
at
ephemeral
IS LA M I C
R E
as
There
so
is,
RA
196.
ABB As ID GoLD
the names of the latter's son Abdullh, the heir apparent, on the
obverse, and of al-Mu'tazz himself on the reverse. The effaced in
scriptions are preserved on dinars of al-Mu'tazz
254 and in 255.
151. San'a. Year 257
&:V3
&-3
--
issued at
Misr in
A.H. =870/1 A.D.
&-
"
All gle x-all
J-31)
AW. ANS.
--
20mm., 2.91grm.
(NC,
Misr. Year 257 A.H. =870/1 A.D.
&:V. (sic)
J-3 &-
--~~
All
Jia-
A.
All Gle
all
152.
UM. 21.5mm., 4.18grm.
Misr. Year 257 A.H. =870/1 A.D.

As above, but
As above, but date correctly
153.
beneath.
written.
Av. ANS.
22.5mm., 4.13grm.
PLATE VII
of
of
5,
p.
de
et
of
or
p.
of
**
Berlin, No. 1512; Harvey Porter, Unpublished Coins

the Caliphate, NC, 1921,
322, lacking the ornament
letter beneath the obverse area. Since the above was written,
Misr, 225 A.H., with inscrip
M. Marcel Jungfleisch has made mention
similar dinar
tions effaced on the dies (Un poids
une estampille sur verre datant d'Ahmed ibn Touloun,
Bulletin
l'Institut d'gypte, XXX (1948),
footnote (2),
the reprint). There and
of
correspondence with me, M. Jungfleisch has suggested that the explanation

the
may not
simple
the one
have advanced. Deleting the lines on the old
engraving entirely new ones. The true ex
dies would have been almost
much trouble
planation may
political complexities which cannot
discussed here.
be
as
as
39
in
lie
as
mutilation
as
recent
be
in

There appears to be only one other specimen of this issue

1919, p. 196, not described).
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R A RE
-U
Misr. Year 258 A.H. =871/2 A.D.
154-155.
3-3
&:V-9
&V.
"
Jia-
All Gle ---all

(or) &l_*
JJ"
2 specimens:
A. UM. 21mm., 4.12, 4.14grm.

PLATE
VII (No.
155)
This issue is known," but I publish this specimen here in order

of the reading of the enigmatic word
beneath the Caliph's name on the reverse. Rogers was unable, as
might be, but who
I am, to read
Lavoix read Najrn, which
was
could not
the place name)? Lane-Poole read Bahrayn
it
be
(it
In
the same year struck
at a
negate this reading.
by
Tlnid, and dinars
is
this issue
of to
specimens, would seem definitely
sense
Misr
in
be
surprising
if
can make
no
Egypt.
b.
the name
of
would not
some Turkish official, but
It
facto ruler
of
de of
in
so
question have been

without the word
classified
number
writers, for Ahmad
already
Tln had
254 become the
gestion.
we had here
specific sug
e-
J-2
Al-Ahwaz. Year 259 A.H. =872/3 A.D.

313-yu
&:V's
156.
All
As above.
All gle x-all
A. UM. 20.5mm., 4.23grm.
*E.
on
is
[40
p.
the Tlni Dynasty (London, 1877),

|
Rogers, The Coins
of
is
it
T.
E.
E.g.,
in by
17.
of
22
p.
of
to
T.
on
Rogers, Notice
the Dinars
the Abbaside Dynasty, JRAS, 1875,
reprint; Paris, No. 1020, where Lavoix refers
Rogers but says
the specimen described
that the word beneath the reverse
different from that
the specimen
the Bibliothque
Nationale.
believe
the same.
Khedivial Library, No. 619.
**

The clear presence
with mint effaced, bearing similar legend."

the mint name Misr,
the present and Paris
on
261 A.H.,
of
dinar
of
on
he
it.
to raise again the question
ABBA's ID
J-3 &-
\a-a:
AU
*A*-*
4) J3-2
all gle x-all
J-31)
Margin ends with als.

A. UM. 20mm, 2.90grm. (pierced)
PLATE
ll
282
"
ll gle x-all
G1 C-34)
Qumm. Year
3:2 5:l
ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 22.5mm., 3.32grm.
A.H. =895/6 A.D.

c.
3:V's
159.
sl., &
A'.
+ -
"
(ex Starosselsky Coll.). 19.5mm., 4.16grm. (pierced)
apparently the earliest known
dinar
Abbsid mint. The earliest heretofore known
&:V:
3:3
one
rare
the Ermitage
No. 885").
A.H.
Harrn. Year 284
916,
Qumm,
897
A.D.
160.
284
p.
dated
(Markov,
...a...all
of
ANs
is
This
is
A.
Allu
J-3
&:V's
VII
A.H. =876/7 A.D.
158.
-->
in
&:V's
&2)
&L=
As above.
am aware, the earliest known Abbsid coin
[41
Harrn.
of
far
as
This
so
A. UM. 23.5mm., 3.97grm.

PLATE VII
is,

A.H. =872/3 A.D.
San'a. Year 259
157.
Gold
Outer margin ends with
2.
A.H. = 897 A.D.

As above.
A.
&
A.H. = 900/1 A.D.
162.
3-53
&:V-9
&V.
(3-)
A'.
Outer margin ends with 2.
Filastin. Year
J-3
A.H.
24mm., 4.14grm.
A.D.
=904
&-> <- gla-l
3-1 G3
<
&:W.
291
Coll.).
ANs (ex Nies
4.
163.
As above.
sil

&:V-9 3-#3 &=
f>0~
161.
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R A R E
this interesting issue

known. The
the Tlnid ruler's name proclaims the reconquest
by
Hrn
is
of
of
Filastin (al-Ramlah)
the Abbsid forces.
absence
by
of
One other specimen
Tlnid dinar struck
in
by
it
in
b.
at
in
Khumarawaih
Filastin earlier
the same year has
been published. The present coin must have been struck sometime
Rajab, 291 (May/June, 904)
after May
the year 904, for
was
was during the course
E.
by
I,
b.
Egypt had been retaken

cf.
By Rabi
Khumrawaih.
49, No. 904, not described.

324;
Zambaur,
1921,
292
of
(Jan.,
the Abbsids.
NZ (Wien),
Khalifenmnzen,
Neue
[42
the Tlni Dynasty,
R.
Gibb, s.v.
p.
A.
310; also
H.
p.
of
cf.
Ibn-Khaldn, IV,
Rogers, The Coins
T.
and
E.
I.,
the
pp. 2248, 2251-2;

of
III,
in
9.
Tabari
Tlnids,
E.
I922,
Hrn
p.
p.
Porter, NC,
(Nov., 904), when
p.
**
Markov,
b.
combat
905), Fustt
292
the year 291
Sulayman started from Syria toward the border
in
to
Egypt
of
(after Rajab) and before the first month

Muhammad
all events the coin
of
the fact that
establishes
determine, but
at
have not been able
it
tured
to
to
b.
Sulaymn was sent

that the general Muhammad
the Caliph
recover Syria for the Abbsids. Just when al-Ramlah was cap

A. UM. 23mm., 3.44grm.

PLATE VII
13.
ABB As ID
Wali al-Dawlah
Gold
the obverse area) was the title
(beneath
of the
Vizier abl-Husayn al-Qsim b. 'Ubaydullh.

164.
165.
Nisibin. Year 292 A.H. =904/5 A.D.

&:V's
&:)
3:44
J-3
--
As above.
Isbahn. Year 293

&:V-3
-1
J-3
A. UM. 23mm., 4.3ogrm.
A.H. =905/6 A.D.

&W-V
As above.
A.
166.
Isbahn. Year 293
Nies Coll.). 22mm., 4.17grm.
A.H. =905/6 A.D.
55, but
beneath obverse area.
A'.
Similar to No.
ANs (ex.
ANs
VII
These two dinars

Isbahn are exceptionally rare. To my knowl
edge only one other Abbsid dinar
the famous Persian city has
978, No. 934(a).
been published: 300 A.H., Markov,
gla-l.
J-3
A.H. =905/6 A.D.
-"
&:V3
p. of
of
Filastin. Year 293
One specimen
of
167.
As above.
A. UM. 23mm., 3.77grm.
this issue has been published but not fully
de
scribed.
293
A.H. =905/6 A.D.
J-3
A.
As above.
ANs.
(ex Newell Coll.).
22.5
mm.4.13grm.
p.
Zambaur, NZ, 1922,
[43
VII
the title, see Fraehn, apud Ties., No. 2175,

9.
discussion
of
PLATE
cf.
p.
For this identification and

and the sources quoted there.
Porter, NC, 1921,
324;
*-
J-3 *
Al-Mawsil Year
&:V-3
168.
**

PLATE
IS LA M I
R A R E
CO
INS
i,
II,
Mosul is also a very rare Abbsid dinar mint. I am aware of only

two other issues: 263 A.H. (Constantinople
No. 938) and 278 A.H.
(BM, No. 366).
- *|Ju
Al-Rafiqah. Year 294 A.H. =906/7 A.D.
&:
V-3
169.
J-3
&-l
As above.
A. UM. 24mm., 3.I.4grm.
5:la-li
3-2
&:V:
173.
of
Dimishq. Year 295 A.H. =907/8

&:V-9
J--> <- 54-4
3-3
G-3
A.D.
A.
As above.
295
D-->
ANs
(ex Nies Coll.). 21.5mm., 4.1ogrm.
A.H. =907/8 A.D.

(sic)
*JV
As above.
A.
Al-Rafiqah. Year
&:V3
VII
197).
<-
172.
PLATE
UM. 25.5mm., 2.98grm.
Al-Karaj. Year 295 A.H. =907/8 A.D.
J-3 J-->
C_2\,
As above.
[44]
an
Al-Karaj (usually read al-Karkh)
is
A.
&:V.
<-
171.
1919,
(ex Newell Coll.). 24mm., 3.66grm. (pierced)
ANs
this issue has been published but not described
p.

(Allan, NC,
As above.
A.
One specimen
A.H. =906/7 A.D.
Filastin. Year 294

&
170.
UM. 23mm., 4.oogrm.

PLATE
VII
exceptionally rare mint,
ABB As ID GoLD
and this dinar is by thirteen years the earliest known. Lavoix,
Markov, Codrington and Allan read the name as al-Karkh, and in
this form it appears in Codrington's Manual, identified as part of
Baghdad.
cannot believe that this is an acceptable identification:

Karkh was a suburb of Baghdad and the presence of a mint there,
so close to the capital, would be very unlikely. I submit, without
proof to be sure, that the mint is Karaj, that is the Karaj of
abi
Dulaf between Hamadhn and Isbahn. The few Arabic lead

seals that have been published establish the fact that Karaj, the
capital of the petty dynasty of the Dulafids, was an administrative
and fiscal center during the second half of the third century of the
Hijrah. We
Dulafid coins of Karaj to sup
have, unfortunately, no
mint at the seat of their principality is to be

expected. Ten years before the present issue the Abbsid govern
ment reassumed control over the territory administered for more
the presence of
than half a century by the Dulafids, and if my supposition be cor

rect, we have in this coin evidence of the continuation of Karaj as
an administrative center after it had been put on the map, so to
speak, by the Dulafids. By the time of the author of the Hudd
al-'Alam (372 A.H. =982 A.D.), the Karaj of abi-Dulaf was mostly
in ruins."
* 308
(Paris, No. 1130; Markov, p. 52, No. 965); 315 A.H. (Paris, No. 1131);
(O. Codrington, Some Rare Oriental Coins, NC, 1902, p. 272); 321 A.H.
(Markov, p. 54, No. 1025); date effaced (al-Qhir), 320-322 A.H. (Allan, NC, 1919, p. 197).
"Yqt, IV, p. 254; cf. Le Strange, Lands, p. 31. Zambaur (NZ, 1922, pp. 10-11) also
318
A.H.
C.
be
to
is
cf. a
p.
al-Muhammadiyah
have
been
expressed
in
issues
of
R.
R.
46. My doubts about the Dulafid
Minorsky
(E.
W. Gibb Memorial
[45]
Series,
N.S.
XI
Hudud al-'Alam, transl.

p. 132.
J.
128.
V.
NHR,
p.
p.
60
of
V,
in
Yqt,
of
Basrah, Smarr, Maysn, etc.

dozen Karkhs, including those
distinguished
Le Strange, op. cit., pp. 197-8. This Karaj
Miles,
from that
the Rdhrwar district, between Hamadhn and Nihwand:
see G.
pt.
(1938),
The Coinage
the Kkwayhid Dynasty, Iraq,
104.
Khalil Edhem, Qrshiin mhtir qatlogi (Constantinople, 1321), pp. 20ff.
Vasmer, Dva klada kuficheskikh monet (Leningrad,
1927),
Cf. Markov, and
p.
Yqt lists half

IV,
251;
is
to
of
as
Baghdad:
of is,
A.H.
accepts the reading al-Karkh and the identification as a Quartier der Hauptstadt. There
fact, no reason
matter
assume that Karkh, reading the name so,
the Karkh
61

port the argument, but it would certainly not be surprising if one

should turn up, for the Dulafid generals did issue coins at Isbahn,
Frs, Mh al-Kfah, Hamadhn, and (?) Muhammadiyah," and
(1937),
IS LA M I C
R A R E
J-3
&:V's
&-
INS
A.H. =909/10 A.D.
Dimishq. Year 297
174.
CO
3-4
#
JW 5-all
A. UM. 25mm., 4.12grm.

PLATE
175.
- *|Ju
VII
J-3
&:V-3
&-
As above.
A. UM. 25mm., 3.52grm. (pierced)
176.
Dimishq.
J-3

&:V3
A.H. =910/1 A.D.
Year 298
&V*
3+-->
As above.
& cruell 3:
J-31) ---
177.
(sic)
178.
San'a. Year 299
c.
A.H. =911/2 A.D.

was
As above.
Margin ends with als.
A.
20mm, 2.82grm.
ANs.
Misr. Year 299 A.H. =911/2 A.D.

&:V's
J-3
& crual
J-31
&-
--~~
"
Ju
--all
3:)
-->
Very lightly struck.

A. UM. 25.5mm., 4.18grm.
There is
a specimen
Museum (Allan,
NC,
of the same mint and date in the British

1919, p. 197,
[46
not described).
|
ABB As ID
179.
Al-Rafiqah. Year
*W** 5-> <-
J-31)
Gold
A.H. =913/4 A.D.
301
*|Ju
-->
A. UM. 27.5mm., 4.23grm. (part of edge broken or clipped)
PLATE VII
Although there are dirhams of later date this appears to be the

last known dinar of al-Rafiqah.
180.
Misr. Year 303 A.H. =915/6 A.D.
*W**
-I
U-a
As above.
As above.
A. UM. 25mm., 4.04grm.

181.
Dimishq. Year 306
*W**
--
A.H. =918/9 A.D.
34.2%
As above.
As above.
182.
307
A.H. =919/20 A.D.
"
As above.
4JV
--all
SJ
A. ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 24mm., 3.88grm.

PLATE
VII
The two published specimens of this issue have not been fully de
scribed (Markov, p. 51, No. 956; Allan, NC, 1919, p. 197).
183.
Sq al-Ahwaz.
Year 308
*W*3
313-yl
&V.
A.H. =920/1 A.D.
33
All
As above.
JW 5-all
A. ANs (ex Nies Coll.). 25.5mm., 6.37grm.

PLATE
[47
VII
This
IS LA M
CO I NS
IC
known dinar
believe, the earliest
Sq al-Ahwaz.
The
exceptional.
Tustar min-al-Ahwaz.
Year 309
*W**
313-yl
L-:
&
184.
is
weight
of
is,
RAR E
A.
As above.
ANs
A.H. =921/2 A.D.

As above.

is
Allan, NC,
p.
No.
1919,
Sq al-Ahwaz. Year 309
*W**
197).
A.H. =921/2 A.D.
33
185.
specimens
9;
1885,
of
fully de
this issue are known, but neither
scribed (Lane-Poole, Fasti Arabici: Mr. Calvert's Collection, NC,
Two
313-yl
As above.
As above.
186.
Al-Ahwaz. Year
*W*:
A.H. =924/5 A.D.
312
34 G-:)
313-y\|
As above.
A.
As above.
Coll.).
24mm., 4.42grm.
of
to
have been
an
this appears
error, probably for Sq al-Ahwaz.
Misr. Year 313 A.H. =925/6 A.D.
*W**
44'
4-
"
4JW
A.
34
187.
ANs (ex Newell
Tiesenhausen (No. 2305), Fraehn listed, but did not

dinar
this mint and date in the British Museum, but
to
describe,
According
2-call
UM. 25mm., 4.02grm.
[48
other dies
of
of
this issue, with different arrangements

the pellets, have been published.
Specimens
of

A. UM. 25mm., 4.199 rm.
ABB As ID GoLD
A.H. =925/6 A.D.
Hamadhn. Year 313
188.
*-* >
*W**
& crual
<- &l-e
"
Ju
3:
2-call
J-31) ---
A'.
ANs
Tiesenhausen (No. 2311) lists

and date.
undescribed
&-l
>
*W*
Misr. Year 314 A.H. =926/7 A.D.
189.
L-a
Ju
is
197)
this mint
--all
UM. 34.5mm, 4.27grm.
not described
in
the
be
British Museum (Allan, NC,
full.
Ardabil. Year 318 A.H. =930 A.D.

*V
34 &V.
J2240
&
190.
p.
neath the reverse; another

1919,
VIII
Berlin (No. 1657) apparently has three pellets

in
specimen
in
AV.
*A*->va
*-
U-
All!
ANs (ex Newell
B-sil
Coll.).
22mm., 3.64grm.
the British Museum
[49
not fully described.
(Allan, NC,
1919,
VIII
p.
specimen
in
PLATE
197)
is
A.
All

As above.
dinar
of
an
PLATE
RAR E
IS LA M I C CO I NS
From the historical point of view this is an interesting and valuable

coin, for it records the restoration of purely Abbsid control in
Azerbaijan during the complicated marches and counter-marches
involving the Sajid princes and several Abbsid governors. Vasmer
has
of this involved
in minute detail the developments
traced
period.
Bardha'ah. Year 318
*V &l's 34
[-
A.H. =930 A.D.
JV: *-
:23):
all
*A*-P-A.
J3-2
5-31) ---
te
A.
2-call
ANs
It
190 above.
of
number
politi
Sajid
would appear
the only
be
course Abbsid
to
of
the same mint, but this
Bardha'ah,
reflects the same
as
No.
VIII
by
dirhams
that recorded
Azerbaijan.
Bardha'ah are known, and there are
of
dinars
of
cal situation
Arrn, north
of
the capital
believe, the unique purely Abbsid dinar
of
This
in
is,
PLATE
or
of
think, should establish the fact that Muflih's gov
of
320
that year, for there are dinars and dirhams

A.H." bearing his name and that
the Caliph
al-Muqtadir who was killed
the day mentioned.
p.
is
p.
50
of
in
O monetakh
izuchennya Azerbaidjana,
5,
R.
R.
Sadjidov,
obssledavannya
Izvestia obschestva
pp. 22-51; see especially
44, where the BM specimen
No.
taken into account. Cf. also NHR, pp. 142ff.
Bardha'ah, dated 323, struck by the latter, cited by Vasmer, op. cit.,
44,
Cf. dinar
No. 27.
64 Ibid.
82
Vasmer,
on
Ardabil
the year 320, and before the
in
Shawwal
of
of
27th
of
ernorship began during the course
of
This specimen,
of
Bardhaah dinar not struck

the petty dynasts, and not bearing
the name
one
the Caliph's mawlas, Wasif
Muflib al-Ysufi."

Ju
of
191.
ABB As ID GoLD
192.
Tustar min-al-Ahwaz.
*W**
34 &V.
&
cruel! 3:
J-31)
Year
318
313-yl
J.
A.H. =930 A.D.
L:
#
Ju
2-call
-->
A. ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 24mm., 4.26grm.
One specimen of this issue has been published but not fully
scribed."
Filastin. Year
193.
*W**
A.H. =931 A.D.
&- ~ 5-la-l.
As above.
cruell 3:
3-3)
specimen
A. UM. 24mm., 4.06grm.
of this issue has been published but not fully de
scribed."
Misr. Year 319 A.H. =931 A.D.

<
*_-e &--~~
\**
all
W.
All
As above.
Av.
specimen
UM. 24.5mm., 4.02grm.
differs from published examples
the pellet beneath the reverse."

p.
51
cf.
p.
Lane-Poole, NC, 1885 (op. cit.), No. 9a.

Porter, NC, 1921,
325;
Zambaur, NZ, 1922,
Paris, No. 1145, Khedivial Library, Nos. 668, 668A.
**
of
This
10.
2-call
in
194.
**

&
34
319
de
the presence
R A RE
Misr. Year
195.
Margin
319
IS LA M I C CO I NS
A.H. =931 A.D.
as above.
"
4Ju 2-all
& cruel! 3:
J-l
5-3.)
196-198.
A. UM. 24mm., 3.85grm.
Al-Ahwz. Year 320 A.H. =932 A.D.
<\#3 J.--> <-
2-call
-->
3 specimens: A. ANs
3-0)
-->
(2 ex Newell Coll.). 26mm.,
25mm., 25mm.; 4.3ogrm., 3.39grm., 5.17grm.

PLATE
VIII (No.
198)
Ermitage" is not described. Amid

al-Dawlah was the title of the Vizier abu-Ali al-Husayn b. al
Qsim."
similar
(?)
specimen in the
No mint. No date (Al-Muqtadir, 295-320 A.H. =908-932 A.D.).

Nandi, sacred bull of Siva,
Horseman,
coat
mail (?),
helmeted, riding horse
clining left; above, Ju ---all.
of
silver dirhams
of
traordinary issues
the
of
fragment lacking)
PLATE VIII
my knowledge, the only gold specimen
of
This
these
ex
Kabul bull and horseman type. The
the same type have most recently been discussed
John Walker, who tends toward the view that these coins were
by
by
above,_*
(ex Starosselsky Coll.). 19mm., 3.6ogrm. (about
to
ANs
is,
A.
left;
J.
to
in
re-
199.
in
of
of
52
69
54, No. 1019.
Markov,
p.
in
to
propaganda pieces purposely struck

the Caliph's moneyers
Iraq,
order
win the approval
the Hindu tribes
the Kabul

#
Ju
& J.'...')
J-31
315yu
Cf. Ties., No.
2357.
Gold
ABB As ID
Valley." The
present unique dinar is not from the same dies as
in the ANS (see below, Nos. 348-9), but is
the silver specimens
otherwise of identical design.
s-- ~
321
A.H. =933 A.D.

g-
313-yl
>
J
Lawl
W.
3:
&
"W
All
*W*3 &L-23
-->
Tustar min-al-Ahwaz. Year
200.
Zambaur published but did not describe fully

mint and date.
&
A.H. =934 A.D.
322
4.23
J-a
&#1
4U
A.
"V gal-J)
UM. 23mm., 3.86grm.
is
of
There are two published specimens

this issue, but one lacks
the pellet and the other
Jail
J-31)
A.H. =940 A.D.
329
<-->
f>0~!
3:
*W** g.:23 &- <&
202.
J
gal-J)
*UW
-->
SU
A. UM. 22mm., 4.14grm.
53
S. of
A.
al
of
in
of
la
I,
pt.
E.
120, No. 420.

Khedivial Library, No. 693; Ties., No. 2929(a).
p.
71
in
of
is
of
70
Islamic Coins with Hindu Types, NC, 1946, pp. 121-128. The full bibliography
previously published dirhams
given
this type
the course
this article. Cf.
Altekar, A Bull and Horseman Type
Muqtadir Biliah
Coin
the Abbasid Caliph
JNSI, VIII,
pp. 75-78.
[sic!] Ja'afar,
Numismatique Orientale, NZ, 1914,
von Zambaur, Nouvelles Contributions
72

*W*3
this
Misr. Year
201.
specimen
of
Newell Coll.). 23.5mm., 4.85grm.
ANs (ex
A'.
J-31) ---
RA R E
IS LA M I
CO
INS
- ~ U-
Mint? Year 336 A.H. =947/8 A.D.
203.
3:3
*W**
all
-->ve
All
All J3-2
call
Margin undeciphered, possibly
A.
meaningless.
UM. 22.5mm, 2.76grm.
PLATE VIII
to
very strange coin, exceptionally
of
of
is
thin and underweight,

and engraved with bold and clumsy characters.
have had
aban
This
in
or
of
ra,
It
or
In be
to
if
of
tooth for the preposition we are confronted with four teeth and
shin,
final letter: even
we take three
the teeth
sin
can make nothing
conventionalization
of
be
a
does not appear
to
it: in
it
writing Tustar. As for the reverse margin
of
of
to
of
Yqt find
bewildering number
possibilities.
we still have
many names whose letters would conform
these possibilities, but
likely site for
none
them seems
mint. As
last resort one
might argue that the die-engraver inadvertently omitted one tooth
the Prophetic
recognized
other dynasties
Caliph, are excessively rare.

group
late Abbsid dinars, most
on
of
al-Muti, other than those
which
as
is
he
The coins
of
Mission.
of
be
no
of
of
of
in
to
in
or
of
lar
to
There follows
them simi
published specimens but differing
greater degree
lesser
respect
from them
their weights. For the study
the metrol
following
ogy
period
the late Abbsid
the
list should
some
54
of
No. 478; Paris, Nos. 1268-9.
Cf. BM,
i,
is
As the legends differ
in
way from the known dinars

al-Nasir, al-Mustansir and al-Musta'sim, epigraphical description
omitted.
use.
78

is
is
it
to
spite
don the attempt
read the name
the mint
the fact
quite clearly written.
that
consists
five teeth and final
probably
za,
letter with
tail which
nun. Allowing one
ABB As ID
Gold
611 A.H. = 1214/5 A.D.

A. ANS-MMA (ex Durkee Coll.). 31mm., 7.19grm.
204.
205.
A.H. = 1215/6 A.D.

A. UM. 29.5mm., 6.84grm.
206-207.
Madinat al-Salm. Year 613 A.H. = 1216/7 A.D.

UM. 30.5mm., 12.39grm.
(ex Newell Coll.). 3omm., 11.56grm.
Madinat al-Salm.
615
A.H.
A.D.
1218/9
ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 24.5mm., 4.69grm. (pierced)
A.H.
Madinat al-Salm. Year 62o
A.D.
1223
be A.
A.D.
1240/1
ANS-MMA (ex Durkee
Coll.).
24.5mm., 7.81grm.
unpublished.
A.H.
ANs
A.D.
1243/4
Madinat al-Salm. Year 642 A.H.
A.
212. Madinat al-Salm. Year 641
1244/5
A.D.
ANS-MMA (ex Durkee Coll.). 29mm., 11.17grm.

ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 28mm., 4.68grm. (ringed)
A.H.
=
=
al-Salm. Year 654
Coll.).
1250/1
1256
27mm., 9.34grm.
A.D.
A.H.
A.D.
Coll.).
1258
55
26.5mm., 13.07grm.
A.D.
A.
ANS-MMA (ex Durkee
219.
A.D.
ANs (ex Starosselsky Coll.). 27.5mm., 5.32grm. (ringed)
A.
218. Madinat
UM. 28.5mm., 11.98grm.
1247/8
ANS-MMA (ex Durkee
217.
A.H.
al-Salm. Year 645

A.
216. Madinat
A.D.
1245/6
A.
215.
A.
A.
213-214.
A.D. Al-Nasir.
1225
This year appears
to
A.

211.
A.H.
UM. 30mm., 7.60grm.
A.
210. Madinat al-Salm. Year 622
A.
209.
Year
A'.
208.
ANs
Av.
Av.
UM. 26.5mm., 8.90grm.
IS LA M I
RA R E
CO
INS
am aware of only one other specimen of this the last of Ab

basid coins. It must have been struck in the first six weeks of the
for al-Musta'sim was put to death and the Abbsid empire

brought to an end by the Mongol Hlg on the 14th of Safar, 656.
year,
B. SILVER"
&V.
(?) A.H. =755/6 (?) A.D.
4.5
** 3:3
138
Ua
Antkiyah. Year
oo ooooooooo
A.
Annulets:
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
24mm., 3.98grm.
VIII
for
188
and the mint
168,
J.J1,
Fraehn,"
<Jaju, which
he
as
suggested might
or
certainly identical coin was published
almost
who read the date
ous
no
be
the coin and the
<!-J1. The mystery was
the fact that one would not
be
or
in
<J.J)
or
of
be
to
of
what appears
<<
tantalizing particularly
view
as
30," No. 222
of
in
in
Ties. No. 1443.
56
with
Recensio,
is
the Museum
the American Numismatic Society number
Museum Collection there are eighty-two. Noteworthy specimens among
few from other sources, are described
the following pages.
=
these, together
the University
p.
in
* **
821;
tooth
p.
Allan, NC, 1919,

198.
The Abbsid silver coins
faultily
is
at
of
the definite article. Likewise, the kaf

the right, giving the impression that there
the expected lam

engraved
is
a
it
is
It
on
to
completely unknown town

encounter
mint early
finally dawned
the Abbsid period.
me that the mint, like
the date,
somewhat clumsily written, and that the second letter,
being slightly more elongated than
nun, and not
should be,
in
likely
have
that period. As for the mint must con

spent many hours hunting for some likely interpretation
is
fess that
for
the style
simple stroke.
of
is
little doubt that 138

epigraphy
definitely
correct,
as
in
it
be
it
as
assume that the mim had been written
of
to
is
is
as
is
of
be
but
left the problem unsolved.
admittedly equivocal: the second stroke
The date
the decade
high
lam,
reading
not
should
for
but
other
than
thirty
eighty, but
possible, unless
that case one would have
76

An
by
PLATE
he
220.
ya
is
it;
ABB As ID s ILVER
and finally the

almost imperceptible. Admittedly
these adjustments are numerous, but
am quite confident that
Antkiyah
intended.
of
the sole evidence

the
beginning
Antioch before the
the issue
abandonment for nearly two centuries must
be
a
well
be
early Abbsid days might
but the reason for
of
in of
this important city
its
at
Muslim mint
the fourth century
the Hijrah. The establishment
existence
expected,
*k
ooooo ooo
VIII
To my knowledge
J-4513
A.H. =763/4 A.D.
-- ~
&l=\
ooooo
Antkiyah appears
307 (Ties.,
325;
dated 306 (Porter, NC, 1921,
No.
specimen
be
1862."
to
in
of
27mm, 2.89grm.
Arrn.
p.
is
ANs.
22.76); and
Zambaur, NZ,
Soret).
57]
the reprint pagination
of
to
is
Ties., No. 754 (where the reference
104
Bartholomae's third letter
to
1862,
RNB,
p.
* 78
p.
The earliest known dirham

the only dinar which
have noted
1922,
10).
Paris, No. 1685.
of
Bartholomae
77
was listed
the second known Abbsid issue

by
This
is
AR.
Annulets:
with have
cf.
*3
146
have met
26.5mm., 2.61grm.
"..
published specimens that
Arrn. Year
Coll.).
ANs (ex Starosselsky
All
*3%u
oo
AR.
Annulets:
A.H. =758/9 A.D.
141
s--
3-4-13
**
o
o
Al-Kufah. Year
222.
Istakhr
A.H.
140
oo
one dated
the only other Abbsid dirham
of
PLATE
is
AR.
oo ~
&-
** 3:3
A.H. =756/7 A.D.
139
oo
Istakhr. Year
Annulets: ooo

mint
matter for speculation.
221.
223.
in of
correct,
is
be
this reading
of
If
is
before
IS LA M I C
R A R E
224.
C O I
NS
Arrn. Year 149 A.H. =766/7 A.D.

≤
** 3:213 &-
ooooo
AR.
Annulets:
Al-Muhammadiyah.
Described
Year
NHR, No.
in
225.
149
26.5mm, 2.86grm.
ANs.
A.H. =766/7 A.D.
The letter beneath the reverse area
51C.
(ex Wood Coll.). 26mm., 2.81grm.
Al-Muhammadiyah. Year 157 A.H. =773/4 A.D.

** 3:-->3 &<-->dU
226.
ANs
>!
->
(s-all
J-31)
-->l
Annulets:
oo oo oo oo
UM. 27mm., 2.71grm.
AR.
o
o
oo
of
of
J3-2 -->
All gle
r":
AR,
&-ell
59.
58
No. 66 (p. 23) =NHR, No.
Tornberg,
in
A.H. =778/9 A.D.
ANs.
J)
162
(3.1
oo
159
the year 157."
** 3:- 3:1
believe
<le
&l=
of
be
specimen
Annulets:
an
the Istanbul Museum, but
accepted. Furthermore Tornberg's dirham
probably
227.
in
had seen
may now
a
is it
this year which
In
in
Mint and date are very badly written, but am quite confident
that they have been read correctly. This coin fills
blank
the
(p.
Rayy series.
unpublished
rejected
NHR
37)
dirham
80

-*
&
AR.
oo
in
shape from the usual variety.

differs
Annulets: oo oo
oo
24mm, 2.87grm.
ABBA's ID SILVER
This variety, with this particular arrangement of pellets, appears

to be unpublished.
228. Al-Abbsiyah.
** 5-3
Year 168 A.H. =784/5 A.D.

&V.
*-U-IV
Annulets:
oo o o oo
--
cal
On
Coll.). 25mm,
O
apparently similar specimen, Fraehn read
** 3-3
229. Al-Muhammadiyah.
Year
(sic)
&V.
168
2.5ogrm.
81
-N->
A.H. =784/5 A.D.
--->4
AR.
Annulets: ooooooooo
ANs (ex Nies
Coll.).
26mm., 2.66grm.
NHR,
date.
W
*
J.3->
-->
w-
Obverse area enclosed

chain
marginal
legend.
border. No
>
No mint. No
by
230.
in
This curious coin has been described and illustrated

No. 68C.
all
cs:* >y)
Annulets:
oooo
&
&
&J
AR.
No marginal legend.
GCM
(Teheran, 1935). 12mm., o.5ogrm.
Ties., No. 1044.
59
|
6, No. 111
identify the governor, Yahy
Recensio,
p.
have not been able
b.
to
PLATE
* I

ANs (ex Newell
an
AR.
*_j.
VIII
al-Rabi';
RA
IS LA M I
R E
CO I
NS
of
Al-Yammah.
** 3:-
ooo
be
all
at
g-
>
J.J."
All J3-2
o
o
ge_ll
&#91
AR.
J-31)
ANs
-->
-->
(ex Wood Coll.). 25mm., 2.7ogrm.
reckon
at
A.H.)
existence.
least seven distinct issues.
at
of
issues
VIII
this mint during the
Of the
year 170 alone
three years (169-171
its
bewildering number
of
is
PLATE
The present one appears
be
oo
of
A.H. =786/7 A.D.
(*)33-A
There
to
in
:-3
to
170
#30
oo
all gle
** 3:-
-->
All J.3->
ooo
unpublished issue and the latest striking

-
Al-Hrniyah. Year
Annulets:
in
et
i,
3.
to
7.
[60
1241;
5.
2.
i,
6.
Ties., No. 1117 =BM,

No. 744;
No. 230 Berlin, No.
1240(?);
Ties, No. 1119 Berlin, No. 1242(?);
No.
4.
is
b.
b.
is
i,
It
of p.
4o
1.
p.
.
.
.
of
82
Yahy
The Kufic seal
man named Ahmad
Rabi'
illustrated
Adler's
Collectio Nova Numorum Cuficorum
Museis Borgiano
Adleriano (Copenhagen,
1792),
permissible, but perhaps fanciful,
conjecture that this
(cf.
181).
person was the son
the unidentified governor.
BM,
Ties., No. 1099 =BM,
Paris,
No. 139 Paris, No. 743;
No. 140;
88

this short-lived mint.

233.
datable
(ex Wood Coll.). 26mm., 25mm.; 2.94grm., 2.82grm.
an
be
AR,
to
This appears
ANs
the
the Hijrah.
<le
specimens:
events,
A.H. =786/7 A.D.
170
*u-JV
ooo
Annulets:
Year
style
>
231-232.
the second half
similarity
must,
the second century
in
coins issued during al-Mahdi's rule.
of
of
have placed this coin here because
It
its
his name does not appear in the early chronicles. Fractional dirhams
are rare, and the absence of mint and date is quite extraordinary.
Ties., No. 1118=Berlin,

Library, No. 397.
Khedivial
ABB As ID s ILVER
No. 1240 (=Ties, No. 1118?), and I publish

it here only because it may assist in untangling the whole series.
the same as Berlin,
so.
The name at the top is doubtful; and 35_a in the fourth line of
Annulets:
oo
Above and
A.H. =789/90 A.D.
173
*-
Ifriqiyah. Year
** 5-3 eit
in
-*
J3-2
oooo
-A-Pva
AUl
>
annulet border:
234.
*w
the reverse is equally
J3_* <ls.')
AR.
C3
ANs
This specimen differs from the published varieties.

Al-Mubarakah.
as
oooo
&
oo
A.H. =790/1 A.D.
Year 174
sulu
** 3-3 &Annulets:
(apparently)
Year
oo
NHR, No.
74B.
&
A.H. =792/3 A.D.
AR.
4.
oo
oo
Annulets:
oo
J-3
176
J1

*3
f2.
(ex Wood Coll.). 25.5mm., 2.90grm.
ANs
in
AR.
oo
&
co oo
This coin has been described

237.
A.H. =790/1 A.D.
174
->dU
&2)
Annulets:
oo
** 5-3
(ex Wood Coll.). 25.5mm, 2.55grm.
ANs
the word sanah.
Al-Muhammadiyah.
oo
236.
of
AR.
J-a,
Note the omission
GCM
(Istanbul, 1933). 22mm., 1.67grm.
61
is
Ties., No. 1178 (p. 303)

most nearly like
but lacks the name
margin. Cf. also Ties., Nos. 1177-8, Berlin, Nos. 966-8.
in
it,
PLATE

235.
VIII
the
obverse
RA
R E
IS LA M I C CO I NS
This is an extremely rare year in the otherwise plentiful series of

Baghdad.
am aware of only one other specimen, a fragment found

hoard in East Prussia in 1866."
Al-Muhammadiyah. Year 178 A.H. =794/5 A.D.

**
&W->
<- *->lu
238.
5-3
oooooooo
AR.
Al-Kfah. Year
239.
3:
180
**
33%
@@
Annulets:
in
This coin has been described
NHR, No.
79A.
A.H. =796/7 A.D.

<!!!
G)
J3-2 -->
3-yl U-yl
** 3:3
-->]
ANs (ex Newell
only one other specimen
of
AR.
of
Year
240. San'a.
U-1
-->
Coll.). 25mm,
2.84grm.
this issue."
A.H. =801 A.D.
185
J--> <- V-a:

of
minute groups
letters
(rest effaced)
AR.
ANs. 18.5mm., 1.28grm.
and this coin establishes the fact that
was also
office
185."
in
p.
p.
cf.
pp. 649, 740;

Zambaur, Manuel,
113. He was still active (as gov
(Tabari, III, pp. 712, 730).
62
191 and 192 A.H.
in
*Tabari, III,
ernor?)
p.
in
F.
85
ZDMG, 1866,
Nesselmann,
G. H.
610 Ties., No. 2787.
Ties., No. 2794 (not described
detail).
Recensio,
25," No. 199 Ties., No. 1387. The word beneath the reverse area was,
here, illegible.
as
in
184
in
Mecca and the Yaman
(al-Barbari)
he
was governor
Hammd
AH.,
VIII
this fractional dirham has been published.
of
One specimen
of
PLATE
in
Annulets:
oo
V->
87

J:-31)
am aware
Annulets: o
J.
in
sILVER
ABB As ID
241.
Al-Muhammadiyah.
** 3:3
Annulets:
*-
Year
:-->dU
186
A.H. =802 A.D.
oooo
oo
AR. ANS.
24mm., 2.90grm.
This coin is described in NHR, No. 87F.

242.
** 3:3 -- ~
Annulets:
186
A.H. =802 A.D.
&-
*X-J
all
oo
o oo o oo o
J-yl
-->
J.3->
L-yl
3-3) l
4 U-
& -->
oooo
above the reverse
&
&
193
A.H.
=809
A.D.
<-->
(rest effaced)
*
*
*J1
All J.3->
ri-,
-->
&l=
Annulets:
here.
Madinat Balkh. Year
** 3-3
ANs
unique unless Tornberg's

as
in
is
fact
44
243.
names
180.
63
No.
Ties., No. 2807.

Ties., No. 1520.
Ties., No. 1542; BM,
i,
in
b.
al-Hakam
Sinn are present
the following year.
coin
Harthamah
issue
of
an
those
b.
full
the year 192"; and the
on
of
The reverse area legends are similar
on
(ex Newell Coll.). 25mm, 2.56grm. (frag. lacking)
of
ANs
of to
AR.
rJ.
91 90 89

This specimen
area"
is
AR.
Jia
Zaranj
yan and
the same mint struck
R A R E
** 3-3
44
A.H. =809 A.D.
193
>3'--
~~~
all
(Q)
Q)
Point under ba of duriba.

Annulets:
(Q)
I NS
4) J3-2
33-ul U-yl
->
AR.
ANs
G3
&
5-31
J-ll +
Nisabr. Year
CO
244. Madinat
IS LA M I C
-->l
-->
it
in
of
in
of
ba
i,
in
This specimen differs from BM,

No. 245,
that
lacks the
Ties,
area;
name Uthmn beneath the reverse
and from
No. 1560,
the presence
the point under the
duriba. Another speci
men lacking the name Uthmn was found
the Stora Velinge
hoard.
J-V
oo
&
*
*N)
o
o
oo
&21
A.H. =809/10 A.D.
** 5-3
194
J3-2 -->
Al
Madin Bajunais. Year

Annulets:
14
J-31 ->
-->
Similar
246.
to
-A-e
Ties., No.
2820.
*-
Madinat Samarqand. Year
** 5-3
J--> <-
AR. ANS.
195
All
-*
4J)
J3-2 -->
3:31)
@@@@
Annulets:
23.5mm., 3.09grm.
A.H.=810/1 A.D.
--
33-ul
Jail)
No. 558,
64
p.
1941,
Linder-Welin, NNA,
Ulla
S.
AR. ANS.
**

245.
99.
24mm., 2.5Igrm.
several respects from
published specimens
this year and mint.
Madin Bjunais. Year 195 A.H. =810/1 A.D.

** 5-3 J--> <- J-->W &-oo
3.913
oo
oo
all J3-2 -->

*...*J)
Jel V."
4
Annulets:
247.
of
This coin differs in
SILVER
all
ABB As ID
--
&:-31)
~~~
Ties, No.
248. Madinat

>! V- all
33-ul tuy
oo oo oo
oo
Annulets:
ANs
minor detail from one
in
This specimen differs
in
AR.
J-all
the British
Museum.
Annulets:
oo
*-
oooo
&
196
&
** 3:-
Madinat Balkh. Year
249.
A.H. =811/2 A.D.
As above, but large pellet be

al-Fadl (none above),
and point over
al-Fadl.
ANs
(ex Nies Coll.). 24mm, 2.84grm.
detail from published varieties.
65
|
58, No. 3oox.
ix,
BM,
p.
This specimen differs
in
AR.
f
of
neath

A.H. =810/1 A.D.
Hart. Year 195

J--> <- cl_*
** 3:-
ANs
1604.
oo
Similar
oo
to
AR.
3_
IS LA M I C CO INS
** 5-3
A.H. =811/2 A.D.
196
All
~~~
(V-yl 4
--
33-ul
J-all
ANs
There are several published varieties

none like this in detail.
&-
A.H. =812/3 A.D.
197
** 5-3
this mint and date, but
&
251.
(Wood Coll.). 25mm, 2.8ogrm.
of
AR.
ooo
e
o
o
oo
oo
oo
3:31)
oo
Annulets:
J3-2 -->
ll)
----
Madinat Samarqand. Year
250.
Lal
RARE
f2.J.
Annulets: ooooo
"I
-A-2Ea
4-la-J)
the year 176 (see
ANs
No. 237 above) specimens
of
As
in
AR.
Ooo
the Baghdad
and curiously rare. The only other pub

my attention" appears
lished coin that has come
bear the
Caliph, but find this description difficult
name
al-Ma'mun
events, would appear
credit. The present coin,
the last
mint for
Dimishq. Year
Annulets:
** 5-3
oo
&\*
to
be
to
all
the capital.
198
A.H. =813/4 A.D.

54-4
-A-Pve
All J3-2
-->
33-ul twyl
in
Blurred word
third quarter
of annulet border.
AR.
J-31 ---
252.
al-Amin
at
issue
of
at
as
of
to
to
197 are excessively
66
PLATE
Ties., No. 1650.

All J3-2
3-yl
VIII
SILVER
"ABBA's ID
Abbsid coins of Damascus are remarkably rare. Not only is this

coin apparently unpublished but of proximate years I have noted
only one specimen of the year 194 and two of the year 200. The
present issue is the first
of
is not only satisfactory
confirmation, but in some respects valuable
of dirhams issued by an individual

named Muhammad b. Salih b. Bayhas al-Kilbi, who calls himself
simply Muhammad b. Bayhas on the coins. The numismatic record
a series
elaboration, of the somewhat vague accounts in the chronicles of

developments in and about Damascus at the turn of the century.
b.
195 A.H.
the leader
of on
to
no
the year
scene toward the end
the
the
by
of
Kalbite faction, took possession
the principal cities
of
to
in
b.
Abbsid forces opposing the Umayyad pretender Ali

'Abdullh
al-Sufyani, who
his attempt
seize the Caliphate and aided
northern
Syria. The issue became one
rivalry,
Kalbite-Kaisite
and we next
Ibn-Bayhas
besieged Damascus whose Kaisite inhabitants
learn that
women's
the year 198.
Ibn
Damascus (witness the coins), and

b.
remained there until Abdullah
Tahir came
to
Bayhas became the Lord
Muharram
in
This event took place
of
him, while al-Sufyni escaped
of
clothes.
to
surrendered the city
in
of
the
Damascus.
in
**
Berlin, No. 1262; Ties., No. 1705; Paris, No. 907.

200 A.H.: Ties., No. 1705, Paris, No. 907; 204 A.H.: ANS, No. 257 below; 205 A.H.:
Paris, No. 908, and one, unpublished,
the Princeton University Collection; 208 A.H.:
Ties., No. 1796; 209 A.H.: Ties., No. 1801.
97
Ties., No. 1809.

His full name
Yqt
tioned
(Yqt, IV,
53;
of
be
to
to
is
p.
of
p.
p.
of
I.,
to
94
E.
p.
in
is a
of
in
its
at
an is
cf.
given
b.
p.
as
by
first occurrence
Ibn-al-Athir (VI,
172). He
men
authority on the residents
Qarht',
village belonging
Damascus
Le Strange, Palestine,
479). He
not
confused with abu
Bayhas al-Haysam
Jbir, the Khriiite, founder
the Bayhasiyah branch
the sect, who
was executed
the year
A.H. after fleeing
Medina from al-Hajjj's persecution (cf.
Mas'udi, Murilj, V,
230;
s.v. Ab Baihas). For the name, Bayhas (lion), see
Ibn-Dorayd (ed. Wstenfeld, Gttingen, 1854),
227.
67
cf.
p.
Ibn-al-Athir, VI, pp. 172-3; Ibn-Khaldn, III,

Weil, Geschichte der Chalifen,
235;
pp. 187-8; Fraehn, apud Tiesenhausen, No. 1705, quoting Ibn-'Asakir.
*
II,

usually called," first appears

as
Ibn-Bayhas,
is
the year 211, bears
of he
account,
Bayhas." The next known

name. According
the historical
Muhammad
as
issue,
of
bearing the name
of
all
The coin evidence begins with the present dirham, dated 198 A.H.
There follow issues of the years 200, 204, 205, 208 and 209,
IS LA M I C CO I NS
RARE
Now I have failed to find exact mention of the date when the famous
Thirid general and statesman came to Damascus, but it seems
in
all
fairly well established that al-Ma'mun appointed him governor of

the territory lying between Raqqah and Egypt
206 A.H.
to
to
he
to
b.
of
Ibn-Bayhas, that Abdullh

The chronicles then say, apropos
Egypt, returned
Thir thereupon went
Damascus and took
Irq, where
Ibn-Bayhas with him
died.
of
b.
the effect that Ibn-Bayhas died
think we must assume that this
in
to
report
is
210," but
this chronology
is
in
to
factor
in
to
Irq appears
Tahir's return from Egypt and march
have been toward the end
the year 211." The only discordant
Abdullah
error. Otherwise,
come
of
known Damascus issue
one
of
as
to
below, the coins and the chron

icles complement each other admirably;
have noted above, the
with one exception which
the year 211 omits the name
Ibn
x-
by
of
to
in
is
of of
dirham
the year 203, listed
Porter among
the coins
the University
Beirut Collection, the reverse
which bears inscriptions similar
the present coin with one im
The exception
al
&
3:
of
be
portant difference:
above, and
beneath. This would
Muhammad, the son
al-Rashid,
Hrn
later the Caliph
of
to
Mu'tasim. Zambaur" attempts

reconcile this issue with Muham
Syria and Egypt
mad's (al-Mu'tasim's) honorary governorship
of
28
p.
(who
gives
Damascus).
52
(end
Abd Allh
b.
s.v.
II,
transl.,
p.
396
I.,
p.
cf.
of =
another account);
E.
Rajab, 212, according
235.
Slane,
I,
Ibn-Khaldn, III,
Ibn-Khallikn, ed.
173;
1098,
government
say 205 and
p.
I.,
p.
Abdullh's
de
p.
the commencement
VI,
some
b.
p.
of
E.
Ibn-Khaldn, III,
252 (206 A.H., and
Thir, Zambaur, Manuel,
Allh
s.v. Abd
to
in
211
or
of
101 Ibn-al-Athir,
102 Tabari, III,
257;
of
of
as
cf.
Ibn-al-Athir, VI,
p.
100
some say 207);

205
the date
p.
cf.
p.
he
of
in b.
in
p.
to to
is
to to
&
I,
Thir.
Matthes),
606;
Yqt, index,
667, where
108 Ibn-Taghri-Birdi (ed. Juynboll
Aghni, XV,
88, mistakenly interchanged with the Ibn-Taghri
Wstenfeld's reference
Salih, al-'Alawi. Ibn-Bayhas (Ibn-Bahis
Birdi reference, applies
another Muhammad
reported
Ibn-Khaldn)
have taken part
the revolt
abu-Harb al-Mubarqa' (the
in
of
II,
of p.
of
I.,
cf.
p.
in
and
else the chroniclers
E.
227 A.H.,
time;
or
in
jail. Thus
have been captured and put
was still active
have confused the dramatis personae
the two
rather similar uprisings (Tabari, III, pp. 1320, 1322; Ibn-al-Athir, VI, pp. 372, 376; Ibn
Weil, Geschichte der Chalifen,
Khaldn, III,
270;
s.v. al-Wthik;
332).
Incidentally, Ibn-Taghri-Birdi calls Ibn-Bayhas amir al-gharh, the exact significance
which
this context escapes me: certainly there can be no connection with northern Morocco, the
Veiled)
al-Wthio's
105
68
NZ,
1922,
I.,
western Syria. Cf.
320.
p. E.
7. of
1921,
NC,
104
p.
usual meaning. Probably the term applied
to
in

Bayhas.
s.v. Gharb.
ABB As ID
s1 LVER
(allerdings etwas spter"). But this was very considerably later
212." Is it not
in
possible that Porter misread the words beneath the
Otherwise this apparent interruption

over Damascus is difficult to explain.
in Ibn-Bayhas
reverse?
rule
by
so,
The blurred word in the obverse border is probably the same as

that which appears on the specimens of the year 200 and that of the
year 204, No. 257 infra, i.e., &au. I do not know what it signifies.
Can it be 4 , Tabk? Fraehn (Ties, No. 1705), reading it
ad
a
in
was there that the Prophet won

bloodless victory and
treaty with the Christians and Jews, setting
precedent
a
it
of
on
of
at
can discover
the payment
the
other possible reading
the legend
to
significance with respect
of
jizyah.
no
A.H., and
arrived
far-reaching
to
of
to
the coin and can only suggest that we have here some obscure ref
Ibn-Bayhas, perhaps because
erence
the surrender
Damascus
(?).
his victory too was bloodless
&O
*3%u
O
O
Annulets:
A.H. =815 A.D.
199
&A-53
*3
Al-Kfah. Year
253.
g-ku
J
4:-
AR.
(Qur'n, LXI,
ANs (ex
Newell Coll.). 23.5mm.,
2.85
VIII
PLATE
G. &
rgus
4)
--
c->
&#1
G-
33:
Margin:
Jiey)
grm.
in
is, as
p.
in
of
in
of
of of
p.
honorary gov
196 Ibn-Khaldn, III,
255. Zambaur (Manuel,
28) has al-Mu'tasim
213, and (p. 27)
Egypt
incidentally,
ernor
Damascus
the same year. There
dinar
Misr
the year 214 (Berlin, No. 1316), bearing al-Mu'tasim's name
the form
abu-Ishq, his kunyah.
69
Hitti, History
of
Philip
K.
Tabk;
cf.
s.v.
I.,
of
pp. 824-5;
II 9.
E.
107 Yqt,
p.
I,
of

of
it
to
of
in
the frontier between Arab and Byzantine lands

the
early days
Islam, far
Damascus;
the south
was the farthest
point
campaign
which Muhammad advanced
the
the year
to
Tabk lay
of on
of
mitted that any connection with the famous place

that name was
improbable, and suggested the possibility
moneyer's name.
the Arabs,
IS LA M
RAR E
IC
I NS
CO
This remarkable issue has been described more than once," but
pre
the
Abu'l
Mansur (or
his claimed
is
in
connection with this issue

the
the chronicles that Abu'l-Sary struck dirhams
The Qur'nic quotation reads: Verily Allh loves
battle-ranks like
his path, ranged
in
who fight
in
al-Kfah."
at
in
statement
those
of
Ma'mun's reign. He called himself Ftimi because
Alid descent. Of special interest
dis
of
in
of
of
Sary), the famous Alid brigand whose revolt

ten months
turbed the southern provinces
the empire
the early days
al
al-Sari
b.
reverse area) was the fictitious name
of
its
curiosity and relative rarity this almost perfectly

served specimen deserves publication here. Al-Asfar (beneath
in view of
compact
building.
Al-Rafiqah. Year
200
Ju
&:
A.H. =815/6 A.D.
common dirham mint, except

the third century
the Hijrah;
find
no
of
no means
in
year 190 and later
25.5mm., 2.90grm.
by
Al-Rafiqah
is
AR. ANS.
in
O
O
Annulets: ooo
o
o
o
Jaul.
the
pub
is
51, No. 15. Another specimen
313; RNB, 1870,
p.
al-Jazirah and commander-in-chief

listed but not described
at
Syria.
244;
E.
in
(Dhl-Yaminayn),
in
b.
al-Husayn
ZDMG, XXII, pp. 706-7, XXIII,

p.
108 C.-J. Tornberg,

Zambaur, NZ, 1905,
Thir
p.
this time governor
of
Thir must refer
to
in
lished specimens with exact date preserved between the year 193 and
208;" and none again until the year 259.
the present one; then one
p.
von
Markov,
66.
I,
p.
[70
s.v. al-Sari
b.
of
E.
is
of
A.
cf.
S.
110 Ulla
of
reported);
the rebel's striking
dirhams
pp. 502-3.
Der Islam im Morgen- und Abendland,
Linder-Welin, NNA, 1941, Nos. 681-2,
102.
line
where the fact
Mansur;
Mller,
I.,
p.
in
of
be
Tabari, III, pp. 976ff.; Ibn-al-Athir, VI, pp.

the revolt may
read
212ff, 217ff.; Mas'udi, Murilj, VII, pp. 55ff.; Ibn-Khaldn, III, pp. 242ff, (especially
243,
10" Accounts
7,

254.
ABB As ID s ILVER
Al-Kufah. Year
255.
A.H. =816/7 A.D.
201
3:V's s--! ~ **l,
Oooo
ANs
of
AR.
o 22
Samarqand. Year 202
256.
Fraehn," differs
is
by
The specimen
this year and mint described
from the present. Another piece listed
Casanova
by
Annulets: 22C)
not described.
A.H. =817/8 A.D.

All
AR.
ANs
V.
3-0 +
&
&l
J.
G"
Gle
3
G-3

PLATE
of
of
of
in
by
cited
by
in
the absence
VIII
the arrangement
the lines and
al-Mashriq and
Dhul-Ri'satayn from those
The present specimen differs
Tiesenhausen and that described
Lane-Poole. These
of
is
of an
of
its
as
of
remarkable issues
the Eighth Imm Ali al-Rid
heir apparent
general his
the Arab Empire are well known. Aside from
epigraphical document
torical interest the present coin
some
the end are engraved
it
is
a
of
the
not
is
a
the reduced size
the long inscription.

counterfeit,
counterfeitat least,
if
is
a
believe the coin
al-Rid from the
it do of
cursive characters,
coin and the consequent crowding
to
the reverse
expedient caused
by on
fifth line
of
the
an
word Ali
in
noted that the digit two and the genealogy
of
It
of
if
importance, for we have here one

the earliest,
not the earliest,
the use of Naskhi characters on an Islamic coin.
will be
instance
in
contemporary one, for the obverse outer margin, the reverse margin
the circumstances see my

71
account
No. 289.
For
1718.
i,
No.
of
**
111 Ties.,
an

3-4.
XXX,
U-yl
&
Qurn,
V-J
&
margin and the last line

the area.
Outer margin:
All J3-2 -->

All &l= 33-ul
the inner
of
ventionalizations
in
There are several errors or con-
Casanova, No. 545.
NHR,
pp. 103-4.
RA
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R E
and the first part of the reverse area are in well-understood and
clearly executed Kufic.
3:23
Annulets:
At
Dimishq. Year 204
257.
&2)
o oo o oo
A.H. =819/20 A.D.
3-4
-A->
o........
4) J3-2 -->
*au
top, in annulet border:
33-ul twy
J-31 -cr'
J.
Point under ba of bin and un

AR.
der ba of Bayhas.
ANs
(ex Wood Coll.). 24.5mm, 2.69grm.
IX
Al-Basrah. Year
&:V:
J--
258.
the present piece.
205
A.H. =820/1 A.D.
*-*.
Qurn, XXX,
"
context
of
is
to
in
of
This unique coin has been mentioned

the discussion
No. 252
above. The reader
referred
that discussion for the historical
Outer margin:
3-4, ending with annulet.
on
Five equidistant small pellets

thin circle enclosing mar
of
known
Basrah struck
Ties., Nos. 1764-5, 1889. The other known specimen

196).
72
of
235."
believe, only one other coin
between the years 204 and

1919,
ANs
is
There
is,
AR.
ginal legend.
p.

PLATE
the year 220 (Allan, NC,
ABB As ID SILVER
&
Madinat Zaranj. Year 205

&:V-3 J--> <- G-3
Annulets: ooee e
A.H. =820/1 A.D.

&\-
&
*L*
all
259.
J-el
Annulets on double beaded
cir
AR.
@@@)
cle between area and margin:

IX
is,
PLATE
of
of
and 204 A.H. The person named above the reverse

abi'l-Faraj, who, the chronicles record,
area
Ghassn
Abbd
was lieutenant-governor
Khursn under al-Hasan
Sahl
this
governor
judge
year. Later, from 213-216,
was
Sind. To
ber between
by
of
he
b.
in
b.
of
is
b.
160
Outer
margin:
3:23 C-:
Madinat Isbahn. Year 209
260.
&W-1
Qurn
in
Zaranj
in
coins
of
whose name appears
who served
son
of
Egypt, Africa,
various times between 178 and 198
on
Mosul and Nisabr
career governor
yan,
in
he
Arabic sources. He must have been
the
at
b.
Harthamah
in b.
As
do not find him
in
Zaranj
of
dirham
of
the year 204, where

believe Hassn has
Ghassn,
already
been read for
was
installed
Khursn
that
A'yan
Harthamah,
year.
area,
for
the name beneath the reverse
A.H.," and
193.
A.H. =824/5 A.D.
XXX,
AU
(Teheran, 1935). 25mm., 2.81grm.

256;
cf.
VI,
Nisabr
202
Zambaur (Manuel,
governor (of
and
as
as
in
sub-prefect
and 203*) who names him
Khursn?)
204.
79, No. 311
Ties., No. 1763.
118 Tornberg,
Zambaur, Manuel, pp. 26, 36, 48, 63.
}
73
120 Ties.,
No.
1542;
BM,
i,
p.
in
pp.
p.
GCM
116 Berlin, No. 1687, year 301.

117 Tabari, III, pp. 1042-3, 11oo, 1105; Ibn-al-Athir,
in
AR.
3-4.
48

it
to
of
of
an
be
not only unique, but

with the
later,"
exception
nearly
century
isolated issue
the last
Zaranj
the Abbsid
series
which there are considerable num
This dirham appears
No.
180.
RA R
IS LA M I C
CO
I NS
Zambaur published a specimen of this year and mint but described

it only as type normal, and a specimen in the British Museum
also is not
fully described.
Frs. Year
261.
209
5:V3 &margin:
Outer
XXX,
Qurn
*
All
with annulet.
AR.
3-4, ending
A.H. =824/5 A.D.

-2\,
GCM
(Teheran). 26mm., 2.96grm.

PLATE
IX
symbol
li'llhi
puzzling.
of
appears
is
it
to
is
It
is
start
'ayn,
unintelligible
out
word with the letter
but the rest
and
countermark,
although
engraved
seems more
resemble
on
as
the reverse under
to
on
of
of
only one
Abbsid coins
Frs (Fris) are very scarce. know
issue antedating this,
the year 203 A.H. (several specimens). The
3:23
U+*
210
A.H. =825/6 A.D.
~ -->
-->
33-ul
b.
al-Sari
is
AR.
o
e
........
"All
Ubaydullah
ANs
the well-known
governor
Egypt, 206
A.H.
oooo
-->] C. gley) -->
J)
J3-2 -->
*N)
AV)
-ke
3-#1
1914,
p.
AR.
s:
** NZ,
119, No. 409.
>]
33-ul twyl
ill
-->
*** Allan, NC, 1919,
[74]
~~
oo
Annulets:
&
A.H. =826/7 A.D.
&
Madinat Arrn. Year 211

&:-5 5-42 &-- *- &lul
p.
263.
J
&
s_-J
the area:
Beneath:
Annulets:
2II
*-i-J
the 2nd and 3rd lines
Between
of
Misr. Year
262.
of

the die.
195.
ABB As ID SILVER
The legends on the reverse are the same as those on the dirhams
of Arrn dated 210. There appears to be a dirham of the year 211
similar to the present one in the Ermitage.
264.
Arminiyah. Year 218 A.H. =833 A.D.

&:V-9 3--> --> <-
*-
No
annulets.
&
crual
AR.
3:31) --(ex Newell Coll.). 24.5mm, 2.87grm.
ANs
b.
of
it
of
is
This coin
interest because
differs from the only known
Arminiyah dirham
218. Al-Abbs
Amir al-Mu'minin (very
al-Ma'mun, who from the year 213
Iraq and the northwest
until his father's death was governor
pretender against the Caliph
frontier lands, and who later rose
of
on
of
in
b.
to
of
of
of
an
coins
in
Arrn
217 and 218,
Arminiyah
and also, apparently,
issue
217. The present
Arminiyah
issue probably antedates the other dirham
218 re
Khqn,
above, which has the name
ferred
Abd al-Rahmn
completely unknown person who was doubtless lieutenant-gov
on
al-Mu'tasim." His name appears
123 Ties., No. 1805; BM,
i,
ernor under al-Abbs

al-Ma'mun's death.
or
No.
else
took over the administration
upon
272.
b.
to
an
to
in
to
in
by b.
I.,
of
E.
p.
is
to
of
is
p.
.
.
R.
Vasmer, Chronologie der Statthalter von Armenien

.,
***
Monumenta Armeno
logica, 1927,
134, where reference
made
coin numbered 763A,
accession
the
Ermitage since Markov's Inventory. The career
Abd al-A'la
Ahmad with reference
Ya'qubis account
analyzed
the coin and
this article.
12" Allan, NC, 1919,
195.
al-Ma'mun, and the authorities cited there.
**
s.v. al-Abbs
or
p.
p.
cit
136; Arminiyah,
** The Arrn coins cited
Vasmer (op.
under No. 263 above),
NNA,
877, No. 774a, and Arminiyah,
217(?): Markov,
217
227: Linder-Welin,
1941,
100, No. 607.
** Cf. Vasmer, loc. cit.: eine gnzlich unbekannte Persnlichkeit, welche nirgends
erwhnt wird und ber die,
viel ich weiss, berhaupt nichts bekannt ist.
75
so
p.

as
of
of
clumsily written) was the son
R A R E
265.
IS LA M I C
CO
INS
San'a. Date effaced.
Annulets:
.....
OQ - - - - -
All
&ls
Margin: Qurn XXX, 3-4.

AR. GCM.
13.5mm., O.75grm.
PLATE IX
This exceptional one-third dirham (with the fraction indicated on

the reverse) must have been struck toward the end of the second or
the beginning of the third century of the Hijrah. The epigraphy is
suggestive of the middle second century, but the use of Qurn XXX,
3-4, as a marginal legend was not introduced until about the time
of al-Ma'mun."
observation
of the author of the Hudud al-'Alam (372
A.H.)
(the second largest town in the Yaman at that time), he wrote their
12 dirhams weigh only 1 dirham's weight. The present piece
weighs o.75 grams; twelve of them would have weighed 9.00 grams
(probably more, because this specimen is worn), a figure which
bears no apparent relation to the standard weight
of
ever, the remark may have some obscure reference
Outer
-U
Misr. Year 223 A.H. =837/8 A.D.

5:V3 & #23 "
margin:
Qurn
XXX,
3-4.
AR,
1856
of
Tiesenhausen, No.
dirham.
How
to these thirds.
#
AU\,
ANs
ra-l
the same
mint and date
is
266.
not described.
76
p.
p.
I,
cf.
p.
of
rub'yt (quarters): ed.

128a Maqrizi relates that al-Ma'mun
ordered the striking
48;
Sauvaire, Matriaux,
Anastase-Marie
St-Elie (Cairo, 1939),
157.
** Op. cit, under No. 173 above,
147.
de

An
may have some bearing on this fractional dirham: speaking of Zabid,
ABB As ID s ILVER
Dimishq. Year 225
267.
&-te: J-->
&:V-3
Outer margin:
Qurn
A.H. =839/40 A.D.

<- 54-4
XXX,
As above.
AR,
3-4
ANs
of
in
No mint. No
date.
**
J3
All
*A*-*
J3-
all
All-
All
93
-\,...)
(retrograde)
Counterfeit.
268.
in
of
is
of
There
one specimen
this issue
the collection
the Amer
University
Beirut,
apparently
(unpublished)
ican
and another
the Istanbul Museum.
J*-aall
33.
Dimishq. Year 228

43 &V*
&:V3
Outer
an
be
copy
attempt
margin:
Qurn
reproduce the
54-4
XXX,
(8)3
W.
All
77
322.
8.
this issue
322; Zambaur, NZ, 1922,
Gill
(Istanbul, 1942). 25mm., 3.02grm.

is
GCM
p.
AR.
1921,
1921,
p. p.
NC,
NC,
of
The one published specimen

** Porter,
be
A.H. =842/3 A.D.
3-4.
131 Porter,
3-u_J1
of
to is
obviously
imitation here
to
forgery
IX
al-Mu'tasim.
&
269.
of
cause the legend beneath one area

and that beneath the other appears
(?)
place this curious contemporary
or
PLATE
name
of
be
imitations
33,
IX,
both
AR,
Qur'n
to
Obverse and reverse margins appear

IS LA M I C
RARE
Dimishq. Year 230 A.H. =844/5

&:V-3 &#
54-4
270.
margin:
Outer
XXX,
Qurn
CO I
NS
A.D.
Apparently
nothing above.
neath, effaced.
AR.
3-4.
by
de
in
specimen
of
Porter, but not

this year also was published
scribed; Zambaur apparently had one
his collection.
Be
A.H. =846/7 A.D.
Al-Shsh. Year 232

&:V's 5:3 &#1
271.
margin:
Outer
Ju-J
XXX,
Qurn
"
3-4.
&:V's
Outer
3:3
margin:
J--> <- sl-
Qurn
A.H.
235
849/50 A.D.
Surra man-ra'a, Year
XXX,
"
3-4.
AR.
All Gle J#3:ll
this mint and date, but none,

this small size and engraved
such advanced
all x2
so
in
A.H. =850/1 A.D.

As above.
>]
--

sl.,
&:W. &#3
&
of
know,
far
ornamental Kufic characters.
273.
UM. 16mm, 2.92grm.

PLATE IX
of
There are published specimens

as
XXX,
78
p.
322; Zambaur, NZ, 1922,

}
NC, 1921,
(ex Wood Coll.). 25mm., 2.93grm. (pierced)
** Porter,
ANs
8.
AR.
2.
Outer margin: Qurn,

3-4, ending with
p.

coins, among which
for this issue among the so-called Thirid

may well have been published.
have not searched
272.
5:13
(ex Longworth Dames Coll.). 28.5mm., 3.15grm. (twice pierced)
ANs
it
AR.
4JW
ABBASID SILVER
A.H. =851/2 A.D.
Isbahn. Year 237
274.
& #3 &As above.
&:V3
&W-k
As above.
AR. ANS.
Dimishq. Year
275.
&:V-9 3-4-1
Area
A.H. =854/5 A.D.
240
3.
As above.
as above.
Outer margin:
27mm., 2.7Igrm.
XXX,
Qurn,
276.

&:V's J-4513 ~
*-
Outer
A.H. =857/8 A.D.
243
sl.,
As above.
5-all
4JW
margin:
XXX,
Qurn,
AR.
3-4, partly effaced.

ANs
(ex Newell Coll.). 19mm., 2.92grm. (pierced)
Area
as
4-13
of
A.H. =857/8 A.D.

1
&:V3
&
Misr. Year 243

&
277-278.
Kufic.
the usual unadorned
J-a
&
legends are
in
is
is
of
The one published specimen

this mint and date
not de
scribed. Like No. 272 above, this coin
reduced size, but the
As above.
above.
AR,
2.
Outer margin: Qurn, XXX,

3-4, ending with
ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 26mm., 26mm.; 2.43grm.,
(both specimens are fragmentary and one
broken)
These and the succeeding
specimens
79
No. 1916.
183 Ties.,
to
to
oxidized, and appear

have come from
by Mr. Newell during
Egypt.
visit
of
is
specimens:
3.04grm.

Newell Coll.). 26mm., 2.89grm. (frag. lacking)
ANs (ex
&
AR.
3-4, traces.
Misr are corroded and
hoard, probably acquired
R A R E
Misr. Year 244 A.H. =858/9 A.D.

U-a
&:V-9 3-4-13 &- *
Area
As above.
as above.
XXX,
XXX,
Qurn
ANs (ex Newell
22mm.,
2.90grm.
"
All'.
J-ll
as
above.
specimens:
R.
-->
Outer margin
ANs
(ex Newell Coll.). 27mm., 27mm.; 2.88grm., 2.96grm.
lists but does not describe
dirham
Misr
of
Casanova
cruell
Coll.).
of
&
Misr. Year 249 A.H. =863/4 A.D.

&:V's J-213
--~~
J-31
this
date.
A.H. =864/5 A.D.

&:V-3 &--> <- U-a
250
Area and outer margin
As above.
above.
ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 29mm., 28mm.;

2.87grm., 2.83grm. (frag.
one specimen lacking)
of
specimens:
R.
Misr. Year
as
283-284.
2
184 No. 601.
[80

281-282.
margin:
As above.
above.
&-
3-4.
25.5mm., 3.03grm.
--~~
AR.
Area
Outer
Coll.).
A.H. =861 A.D.
3:213 &as
&:
247
ANs (ex Newell
Misr. Year
W*
280.
AR,
Outer margin: Qurn,

3-4, partly effaced.
279.
IS LA M I C CO I NS
ABB As ID
ILVER
Madinat Mh al-Kfah. Year 251 A.H. =865 A.D.

3:ws
s-- ~ **Q1 (sic) u
285.
3-2
margin:
Outer
Qurn
XXX,
3-4.
all
published specimen
Coll.).
21.5mm., 2.88grm.
of
AR.
3-5.)
ANs (ex Wood
Jall
allu
to
to
be
a
of
in
in
At
is,
this mint and date appears

lack the
evidently, written correctly.
word madinat and the word Mh
this time and
the region
Mh al-Kufah the abu-Dulafids
were issuing coins
their own names, but this appears
straight Abbsid issue."
dirham
Misr
of

a
AR.
ANs
of
g.
as
As above.
above.
lists, but does not describe,
Casanova
this
date.
Outer margin off the flan,

lacking.
or
3-3
Makkah. Year 253 A.H. =867 A.D.

~~
5:V:
44
287.
all
&-l
Allu
is
in
photograph.
PLATE IX
remarkable coin. Aside from the exceeding rarity

Mecca, the date (253), which
unquestionable,
in of
**
from
is
struck
the plate
This
at is
smooth. The reproduction
is
of
is
AR
(billon?). ANs (ex Longworth Dames Coll.). 18.5mm.,

3.77grm. The coin
unusual fabric and
worn quite
coins
con
p.
be
of
of
[81
of is
p.
(al-Mu'tazz)
the letter kaf

off the flan, but
believe there can
little doubt about
only three other Abbsid coins
the mint. know
Mecca:
dinar dated 25x
47, No. 847);
the Ermitage (Markov,
dirham
the year 289 (Berlin,
of
top
the reading
in
*The
p.
Dorn, Nova Supplementa,

Ties., No. 1952.
231, No. 312a
103; Vasmer, Dva Klada kuficheskikh Monet, pp. 46ff.
Cf. Markov,
187 No. 608.
of

Outer margin
.
.
.
Misr. Year 252 A.H. =866 A.D.

&:V-3 &-->4
~ U-a
286.
RARE
IS LA M I C CO I NS
junction with the name of the Caliph al-Musta'in, poses
Al-Musta'in was deposed in

Shawwal,
252.
problem.
and was murdered on the 6th of

possible explanations of the anomaly readily
Two
251
suggest themselves:
either an old reverse die was used, or else the

mention of al-Musta'in's name is intentional and reflects an issue of
in view of al
Musta'in's brief rule and of the rare mint, is not very likely. As for
the latter I believe that the events of history provide us with the
very facts we need to support, if not to prove, the correctness of the
partisanship. The former
alternative, especially
suggested explanation.
In the year
251,
in consequence of disturbances
at Samarra,
al
forced by his cousin al-Mu'tazz to abdicate. According to the terms

agreed upon by the two parties, al-Musta'in was guaranteed personal
safety and the safety of his family, and he was to remove himself to
Mecca, where he was to reside. Actually, according to the chronicles,
he never reached Mecca, for he was prevented from going there, and,
Now it is not at
improbable that,
in
252, as stated above.
all
after a short visit at Wsit, he was assassinated near Samarra late in
con
to
temporary capital. Such

explanation
coin
of
exile but
pertinent
in
an
place
Mecca was not simply
argument would certainly
We may imagine that
Muharram, 252.
his own account until
them, and probably
al-Musta'in himself,
in be of
did not announce
to on
he
at
in
formance with the abdication terms, al-Musta'in's partisans struck

coins
Mecca
his name after his abdication, which incidentally
to
82
it
be that
as
of
dinar
the year 325 (O.
wrongly described
is
a
289
by
g-_5
al-Musta'in's rights
242); and
specimen
dinar).
of
to
at
solve the riddle. Can
of
in
Z.
Adolf Erman
fr N., 1881,
NC, 1902,
273, where the Berlin
p.
1638;
loss
posthumous recognition
cf.
No.
Codrington,
still
p.
we have here
reach Mecca, one
is
it
of
is
to
252.
al-Musta'in's name
of
in
explain this post

But how
prepared
humous issue
253? Unless one
believewhich
am
notthat
took more than two months for the news
the murder
struck
to

Musta'in had found it necessary to leave that city and to establish

himself at Baghdad where, in the last month of the year, he was
silv ER
ABB As ID
his supporters; or, alternatively, was this issue struck late in 252 in
anticipation of the deposed Caliph's arrival at Mecca early in 253?
J-3 J-->
255
&:V's
<-
A.H. =868/9 A.D.
sl-
&
288.
--
AU
-->
JW
3-31) -->
5-all
5-31) ---
SJ
Outer margin: Qurn XXX,
issue
of
an
the same mint and date,
&:V's
J-3
&V.
&
A.H. =871/2 A.D.
Jia-
"
All gle x-all
as
Outer margin
_*
size (and apparently
ANs.
21.5mm, 2.81grm.
in
AR.
above.
This dirham differs
by
in
the letters beneath

the reverse) from two other published specimens."
of at
of
p.
is
of
The story
al-Musta'in's deposition and death
recounted
some length
Masdi (Murilj, VII, pp. 363-371; see especially
367 for the terms
abdication). The
official date of the end
al-Musta'in's rule and of the commencement of that of al
is
of
in
ZDMG, XXII,
288, No.
[83]
in
and the sources cited there.

Ausgrabungen Arabischen Geldes
Ties., No. 1994 (p. 306); Paris, No. 1029.
Die jngsten
32
=
of
I.,
s.v. al-Musta'in
Tornberg,
p.
140
J.
pp. 396ff.;
E.
II,
in
by
of
p.
VII,
of
dispute among the Arab historians themselves (cf. Mas'udi,

been
matter
368). The usually accepted date for the beginning
al-Mu'tazz's reign
Muharram, 252; but there are coins struck
him
251: e.g., Paris, nos. 984-5; Berlin,
question see: Tabari, III, pp. 1645ff.; Ibn
Nos. 1517-8. For other accounts
the events
al-Athir, VII, pp. 76-7; Ibn-Khaldun, III, pp. 287-290; Weil, Geschichte der Chalifen,
Mu'tazz has
C.

Caliph al-Muhtadi.
the succeeding
289.
1972,
ANs
is
Tiesenhausen No.
of
AR.
3-4.
Schweden,
RARE
3-3
INS
&
as above.
All gle -->ll
The only other specimen
ANs (ex Newell
have noted
is
291.
C O
Madinat al-Salm. Year 259 A.H. =872/3 A.D.

&:V-9
f>J1
&-
AR.
290.
IS LA M I C
J-3
#
All gle x-all
All G1 Ce3"|
AR.
as
above.
3:2 5-3 s--
A.H. =884/5 A.D.
292. Al-Basrah. Year 271
ANs
*-*.'
All gle x-all
U-U
331)
&#133
above.
AR.
as
Outer margin
33
4.
All
&
all
PLATE
IX
of
abu-Ahmad Talhah, son

al-Mutawakkil and
during
Caliphate
virtual ruler
the
his brother al-Mu'tamid. His
honorific, al-Nasir li-din Allh, was given him after his victory
2
over the rebellious Zanj, whose leader was killed
on
of
is
Al-Muwaffaq
Safar, 270.
of
of
108;
of
I.,
Muraj, VIII,
E.
18; Mas'udi,
p.
1999.
No. 2062; Tabari, III, pp. 2098,
21
142 Cf. Ties.,
b.
is
of
141 Ties., No.
to
of
As for the title He

the Two Vizierates, beneath the name
the
Caliph
Makhlad,
reverse,
the
the reference
S'id
Vizier
complete
published
bearing
al-Mu'tamid."
list
coins
his title
on
s.v. al-Mu'tamid.
1* Cf.
Ties., No. 2060; Tabari,
index;
Mas'udi,
[84

24.5mm., 3.09grm.
not described."
Misr. Year 265 A.H. =878/9 A.D.

J:V's
J--> <- J-a
Outer margin
Coll.).
Murilj, VIII, pp. 39, 61-3. Zambaur
ABB As ID SILVER
Vasmer;" it does not include
may be found in an article by Richard

this Basrah issue
Frs
293.
3:23
of the year
(?). Year
A.H. =886/7 A.D.
273
J-3 eit
271.
*- (*)-2\,
"
All gle -->ll
(3).J1 G1 C***)
3:31
<!\!
G.
-->
Outer margin: traces of Qur'n

3-4.
AR.
GCM. 21mm., 2.86grm.
is,
course, the heir apparent,
of
be
the name
al-Muwaffaq
Caliph
later the
an
b.
of
is
of
is
as
If
interesting
believe, Frs, the coin
al-Mu'tadid.
the mint
document, for there
another issue
the same year and mint, bear
ing the names
al-Layth and Muhammad
the Saffrids, Amru
b.
Amru."
al
in
of
as
b.
of
gov
al-Layth
announced the deposition
Amru
Khursn,"
official pronouncement which, however,
Amru was well entrenched."
circumstances,
to
No. 292
al-Muwaffaq.
Also
he
in
minute detail
Frs und Hursn, NZ, 1930,
de
Slane,
from Eastern History
85
Sketches
IV,
105, No.
324.
(1892), pp. 198-9.
9,
2106; Ibn-Khallikn, transl.
III,
Cf. Theodor Nldeke,
No. 14; Markov,
p.
149,
p.
p.
II,
1*Tabari,
147
this title
der Saffriden und ihrer Gegner
Constantinople,
No. 608; Tornberg,
(No. 9a); strup, No. 759a.
another
p.
attributing
with
2.
*** ber die Mnzen

pp. 141-2, note
error
(p. 7).
in
in
of
is
(Manuel, Table G, note 87)

omits S'id from his list
Viziers
took effect, since
the Saffrid coinage cited under

in
his article
in
Vasmer
The confused
the coins, has been examined
on
particular reference
to
called for energetic and prolonged action before
it
an
ernor
of
Mu'tamid
in
at a
It of
of
proximate dates and the same area, are

These coins, and others
reflection
the political situation
central and southern Persia
year
the time.
was
Shawwal
the
271 that the Caliph
by

(on the reverse)
of
is,
of
Blurred letters make the reading

the mint and
problematical.
neath the obverse somewhat
Ahmad
b.
XXX,
and
IS LA M I C
R A R E
I NS
CO
of
an
say, the mint
of
as
Shirz issues
is
Saffrid." The present coin (if,
well
as
272, are
the same mint and date,
as
another coin
of
is,
is
all
above. Tabari's and Ibn-al-Athir's accounts of Amru's defeat at

the hands of the abu-Dulafid Ahmad b. 'Abd al-'Aziz differ, the
former placing the event on the 16th of Rabi I, 273, and the latter
on the Ioth of Rabi I, 271. At
events there
Abbsid coin
lacking Amru's namedated 272," although
the Frs mintthat
Frs)
is
is
of
another illustration
the same in-and-out situation which quite
understandably confused the historians.
further example No. 295
below.
<--
2)
&
3:
3:V:
294,
*|Ju
AU
&
All gle x-all
C23A)
3.31
XXX,
Qur'n
SJ
margin:
Outer
Ju
AR.
3-4
ANs
of
is
of
with
have not met
of
published dirham
al-Rafiqah
this
date; there are, however,
dinars,
number
both Abbsid and
clearly Abbsid.
Tlnid. This issue
J-3
5:V3
A.H. =887/8 A.D.
Frs. Year 274
295.
&2)
crew.
Outer margin
all
AllW
ge. -->
33.1
25mm., 3.30grm.
to
p.
to
of
NZ, 1930, pp. 141

pertinent coins up
date, consult
To bring Vasmer's corpus
Linder-Welin, NNA, 1941,
114, containing the only important additions
ff.
**
-->
above.
AR. ANS.
Ulla
&
&
Allu
as sil
U-Ul
&
*U
all
S.
Vasmer's exhaustive compendium.

** Tornberg, ZDMG, XXII, 288, No. 39.
142, Nos. 30-32.
Cf. Vasmer, op. cit.,
Rogers, The Coins
18,
151 E.g., Paris, Khedivial Library (cf.
the Tlni Dynasty,
No. 38), University Museum Collection (all Abbsid); Paris, publ. by
Cottevieille
35, No.
(Tlnid).
[86
Giraudet, RN, 1935,
p.
R.
of
T.
E.
p.
p.
p.

All G1
ABB As ID
SILVER
Here is another Abbsid dirham of Frs, reflecting the vicissitudes

of the Saffrid's career (cf. No. 293 above). It was in 274 A.H. (18th
of Rabi I) that al-Muwaffaq himself led the army against Amru b.
al-Layth and drove him out of Frs and on to Kirmn and beyond
to Sijistan. Other specimens of this issue are known.
296.
Madinat al-Salm. Year 274 A.H. =887/8 A.D.
3-3
&:V-9
& 2)
*- f>J)
****
As above.
as above.
AR. ANS.
25.5mm., 4.42grm.
This specimen differs from one published by Tornberg, in that

it lacks the words at the sides of the obverse and reverse areas.
"
all
-a
at
Word
Qur'n
or
Outer margin: traces
letters
ef
bottom
faced.
3-4.
AR.
XXX,
&Valu
4JU
of
Allu
A.H. =889/90 A.D.
5")
J-3
3:V3
GCM
(Teheran, 1935). 26mm., 2.84grm.

PLATE
IX
It
is
of
to
an
is
of
is
of
it
of
of
is
in
very curious coin, differing

This
remarkable manner from
the known issue
al-Shsh
the same year.
dated 276 and
yet
bears the name
al-Mu'tadid who did not succeed
the
Caliphate until 279 A.H. Another dirham
al-Shsh,
year
269,
the
hybrid, that
presents this same anomaly." Either the coin
al-Mu'tadid before his succession. The first alternative
certainly
p.
of
21
=
[87
Ties., No. 2093.
p.
Tornberg,
102, No. 429, with the name
al-Mu'tamid
1*Tornberg, Symbolae, IV, No.
Ties., No. 2115.
al
un
p.
NNA,
p.
= cf.
p.
P.
in cf.
2113, Ibn-al-Athir, VII,

298;
Vasmer, op. cit.,
143.
48, No. 871; one uncatalogued
Berlin; Linder-Welin,
Vasmer, op. cit.,
106, Nos. 1161-2;
143, No. 34.
Ties., No. 2082.
100, No. 422
1*
p.
*** Tabari III,

Markov,
is
of
on
or
of
of
old obverse die was used with

reverse
al-Mu'tadid's during his
Caliphate (279-289 A.H.),
else abu'l-Abbs Ahmad (son
Muwaffaq, whose name appears
the obverse) received the title
p.

-~
Al-Shsh. Year 276
(5'
297.
1941,
IS LA M I C
RAR E
CO
INS
somewhere
of
in
lie
it.
likely. The second seems the more plausible, although I fail to find
However, the explanation must
the historical evidence to support
the abnormal state
reign: al-Muwaffaq,
affairs during al-Mu'tamid's
name. But what
in
27
in
it
of
in
later striking than that
the more serious anomaly
Shsh,
with al-Mu'tamid's
Tornberg's coin
of
of
issue presumably being
of
year that the change
least
the position usually reserved for

argued that
was during the course
this
allegiance
the East was made, the present
in
might
of be
It
the Caliph.
at
officially recognized,
al-Mu'tadid's name appears
for
is
might say that this reality
of
on
as
as
in
of
as
No. 292 above, was

effect the
ruler, but
al-Muwaffaq's
years
the last two
life (he died
Safar, 278), al-Mu'tadid became the virtual sovereign. On the
present issue,
well
the one
269 mentioned above, one
noted under
the year 269?
900
Jia-
-a
AR.
Large central pellet.

ANs
A.H. =900 A.D.
effaced. Year 287?
#3 &-
Ju
3:
(3)
"
XXX,
**
Ju -a
ce.
all
3.)
Mint
V3
299.
&
3-4.
Qurn
margin:
Outer
313-y\|
all
5:93 &#3 &-
ANs (ex Longworth Dames
Coll.). 24mm,
3-oogrm.
s.v.
al-Mu'tadid,
and the sources
88
is
The
IX
with coarse and semi-literate
date, aside from being badly worn,
cited there; Mas'udi,

}
I.,
157
of
characters.
very crudely executed coin
This
is
PLATE
curiously
Murilj, VIII,
writ
p.
AR.
No outer margin?
E.

A.D.
Al-Ahwz. Year 287 A.H.
298.
108.
ABB As ID SILVER
of the Caliph's name is turned backward somewhat

like a cursive kaf, but I believe that it can only be al-Mu'tadid. Abu
ten; and the dal
Ja'far and abu-Ibrhim, whose names appear on the obverse and

verse respectively,
of
publication
its
are unidentified.
of
ized issue, but the solution
The coin must be an unauthor

political context must await the
with mint preserved.
specimen

315yu
J:w: 3-#3 &*
margin:
Outer
all
XXX,
Qurn
JU -a
3-4.
AR. ANs.
all
300.
25mm., 4.75grm.
22
on
II,
to
of
This dirham must have been struck during the first four months
the year, for al-Muktafi's succession
the Caliphate occurred
Rabi
289.
3\""
#3 &-
&
&:V3
A.H. =902 A.D.
Isbahn. Year 289
301.
as
Outer margin
"
above.
l Giil
been published but not
as
the Leggett Collection has
fully described.
&: V-3 &:3 &-
Outer margin
la-l:
As above.
above.
AR. ANS.
al-Muktafi's
Lane-Poole,
Fasti Arabici
IV, NC,
of
struck
1886,
[89
al-Ahwz
229.
in
dirhams
21.69.
at
are
have
al-Mu'tadid.
p.
*There
No.
25mm., 2.97grm.
this date and mint which
noticed are issues
of
the published specimens
of
All
25mm., 2.32grm.
A.H. =902 A.D.
Wsit. Year 289
302.
in
this year and mint
specimen
of
AR. ANS.

re
the same year, e.g., Ties.,
RAR E
IS LA M I C
INS
C O

&:V-9 3-- ~ 313-y\|
Outer margin
As above.
AR.
as above.
specimen, probably similar,
is
a
There
Al-Basrah. Year 290
J--
the British
As above.
above.
3-3
&:V-9
the British
Museum.
A.H. =904/5 A.D.
&#1
3+-->
3.
AR. ANS.
25mm., 3.03grm.
indeed they are present
the Berlin Collec
the ornamental letters,
that coin.
- -2\,
AR.
this issue which
197.
Fasti Arabici
IV, NC,
1886,
229; Allan, NC, 1919,
162o.
Ties., No. 2193.
[90
19, No. 316
Fraehn, Recensio,
p.
1919,
p.
Allan, NC,
p.
written differently.
161 Lane-Poole,
162 No.
ANs
the one published specimen
p.
noticed
of
The date
As above.
above.
4-0
of
3-3
J:ws
Outer margin
*
*
note
IX
Arminiyah. Year 293 A.H. =905/6 A.D.

as
306.
on
tion, but Ntzel did not make
this year
in
Dimishq
of
dirham
of
of
There
is
PLATE
if
al-Muktafi's name thus:
JCP; and the fa-ya
of
of
as
As above.
Outer margin
above.
The qaf
the word Dimishq terminates with floral flourish, thus
is

Dimishq. Year 292
another
in
fully described, and there

305.
the Leggett Collection has been published but not

is
in
specimen
Museum.
A.H. =902/3 A.D.
AR.
as
Outer margin
24mm., 3.07grm.
&: V-3
Coll.).
304.
ANs (ex Newell
in
303.
197.
have
ABB As ID sILvER
Sq al-Ahwaz. Year 294
307.
&:V's
J-3
Outer margin
&21
A.H. =906/7 A.D.
33
313-yl
As above.
as above.
AR. ANS.
There was
scribed."
24mm., 3.49grm.
in the Leggett Collection, not fully de
a specimen

&:
&-3 J--> <- 313-y\|
V-3
308.
the Beirut Collection, not
as
date (late 3rd
ently
gall ge.
as
far
as
3-4,
as
XXX,
far
Margin: Qur'an IX, 33, appar
One marginal legend only:

Qurn
fully described."
Hijrah?).
as
in
(ex Wood Coll.). 26.5mm, 2.98grm. (formerly ringed).
specimen
No Mint. No
309.
AR.
3ll.
GCM
(Teheran, 1935). 12mm, o.87grm. (formerly ringed).
the end
of
place this minute fractional dirham
of at
PLATE
IX
the third
cen
Dimishq. Year 296
of
310.
to
the
It
Hijrah because
epigraphy.
might date
the style
anywhere from the middle third
the early fourth century.
tury
of
&:W.
Outer
J-3 --
margin:
Qurn
A.H. =908/9 A.D.
34.4
XXX,
3-4.
Allu
p.
Lane-Poole, Fasti Arabici IV, NC, 1886,

Porter, NC, 1921,
324.
229.
[91
**
l-all
AR.ANs. 27mm., 2.86grm.
p.

is
There
ANs
As above.
above.
c.
AR.
Outer margin
RAR E
Dimishq. Year 297
311.
3-3
J:V-9
Outer margin
&-
IS LA M I C CO INS
A.H. =909/10 A.D.
5:.
As above.
as above.
Large central pellet.

24mm., 3.04grm.
AR. ANS.
3-3
&:V-9
&
A.H. =909/10 A.D.
Wsit. Year 297
312.
&-
la-l:
All
JW 5-all
cruel! 3:
J-31) --Outer margin
ANs
Lane-Poole
is
by
specimen published
not described.
Al-Kfah. Year 298 A.H. =910/1 A.D.
5-3
3:V's
&V.
313.
as
#3%u
As above.
above.
specimen published
not described."
WW2.
As above.
above.
ANs (ex Newell
Coll.).
is,
AR.
&-
27mm., 2.33grm.
A.H. =911/2 A.D.
as
.
.
3:
Jannb. Year 299

V.
314.
Lane-Poole
is
by
AR. ANS.
26mm., 2.89grm.
PLATE IX
1919,
197.
[92
NC,
on
as
J.
162.
229.
122, spelled Jannabah. Cf. Le Strange, Lands, pp. 273-4.
p.
Allan
in p.
II,
*Yqt,
listed
Johnston's Cabinet, NC, 1892,
p.
VII, Mr. M.
IV, NC, 1886,
166 Fasti Arabici

167 Fasti Arabici
p. C.
so
in
of
of
believe, the earliest known Abbsid issue

This
the very rare
Jannb, the important port
mint
Frs
the Persian Gulf.
Earlier Saffrid issues are known, but
far
am aware the only
by

AR.
as above.
specimen was
ABB As ID s ILVER
recorded Abbsid specimens are dirhams of the years 304, 306 and
314."
&-
A.H. =912/3 A.D.
Ju
-a
Allan."
As above.
above.
specimens:
of
GCM
the same mint and date
Shirz. Year
*W* ~
300
3124:
As above.
above.
AR.
Wsit. Year
*W** 5-1
301
in
Lane-Poole.
A.H. =913/4 A.D.
Ja-l:
As above.
above.
AR.
Specimens
not fully described, was published
as
319.
specimen,
Collection."
the Beirut
A.H. =912/3 A.D.

as
318.
ANs. 26.5mm., 2.90grm.;
(Teheran, 1936). 26mm., 2.70grm.
by
specimen
the Ermitage and the Beirut Collections are not
fully
1905,
54, No. 22; Berlin, No. 1679. Zambaur's good

a
of
the Saffrid and

197.
NC, 1921,
172 Fasti Arabici VII, NC,
325.
51, No. 939; Porter, NC, 1921,
178 Markov,
326.
93
p.
p.
p.
171 Porter,
1892,
p.
p.
in
be
to
is
of
for the identification

the mint, together with
list
NZ, 1906, pp. 192-4.
Byid issues
Jannb,
found
162; Allan, NC, 1919,
170 Lane-Poole, Fasti Arabici VII, NC, 1892,
reasons
of
No. 1153; Zambaur, NZ,
p.
169 Paris,
summary
p.
described.
of

as
Area and margin
&M
by
and another
believe, the
the year 300 was published
R.
1892,
specimen
is,
very rare Abbsid mint, and this
*V
As above.
as above.
Al-Basrah. Year 300
316-317.
in
in
Lane-Poole
ANs (ex Wood Coll.). 26mm., 2.56grm. (frag. lacking)

PLATE IX
known year.
earliest
. .
is
is
a
AR.
Sinjr also
3-3
&:V-9
A.H. =91 1/2 A.D.
299
by of
Sinjr. Year
315.
162.
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R AR E
**
g.:)
A.H. =914/5 A.D.
302
313-yu
as above.
All
AR,
Ju
321.

as
ANS
2-call
A.H. =915/6 A.D.
303
above.
AU
AR.
Ju
313-yu
as
arb'.
which, however,
probably similar
Wsit. Year 304
*u-s:
to
is
This specimen
(Teheran, 1936). 28mm., 1.8ogrm.
GCM
is
AR.
of
beneath
ba
(?)
As above.
above.
the Beirut Collection,
A.H. =916/7 A.D.
1-13.
margin
Area and outer
above.
As above.
AR.
as
821
one
in
821
323.
lack
*u-l's
Pellet
published varieties
differs from
2.91 grim.
322.
(ex Wood Coll.). 27mm,
ANs

f>|-J)
*W** --->
<-
324-326.
&
305
A.H. =917/8 A.D.
Three specimens with the usual areas and outer margin, and differ
ing only
the following ornaments:
*** Ties., Nos. 2246-7, Khedivial
Library,
No. 678; Porter, NC,
94
325.
p.
No. 759 (not described).

*** Porter, NC, 1921,
1921,
p.
in

This specimen
pellets.
--all
of
its
Al-Ahwaz. Year
in
320.
326; Casanova,
ABB As ID sILVER
324.
325.
ANs. 26mm., 25mm., 25mm.; 2.98grm., 3.24grm., 3.13grm.
ornamental detail from
J-31)
Outer margin:
4.
cruel!
pub
"
3:
&
--
--
to
differ
Isbahn. Year 306 A.H. =918/9 A.D.

*W***
~ &W->\.
327.
2-call
XXX,
Qurn
AR.
3-4.
GCM
(Teheran, 1936). 28mm., 2.73grm. (frag. lacking)
Harrn. Year 306 A.H. =918/9 A.D.

As above.
above.
specimen apparently similar
ANs (ex Newell and Wood Coll.).

27mm., 24mm.; 2.88grm., 4.03grm.
these
listed
by
specimens:
is
&l_*
R.
-- ~
to
*W**
as
328-329.
Zambaur."
p.
"Ties, Nos. 2258-9 (also 307); Paris, No. 1191; Berlin, Nos. 1729-30; Constantinople,
No. 652; Casanova, Nos. 761-2 (not described).
1914,
120, No. 415.
95
NZ,
*77
p.

These dirhams appear

lished varieties."
in
AR.
326.
Q_7
IS LA M I
RARE
330. Shirz. Year 306
CO I NS
A.H. =918/9 A.D.

As above.
as above.
specimen
ANs. 26mm.,
the British
3.12grm.
Museum.
Al-Kfah. Year 306 A.H. =918/9 A.D.
*%u
--
L.
W.
Clark (New York). 26mm., 2.91grm.
&
Year 306 A.H. =918/9 A.D.
f)(J
as
*W**
332. Madinat al-Salm.
As above.
above.
AR.
as
--
*u-si
>
331.
above.
all
All
ANs
is
is
In
by
all
AR.
2-all
probability this specimen

identical with one published
Bartholomaei, where the symbol beneath the reverse
differently
in
terpreted."
A.H. =920/1 A.D.
Usu
as
<u>3 Ju-
Antkiyah. Year 308
333.
above.
All
2-all
mentioned
by
is
of
ANs
this mint and date
Bartholomaei,
not described.
178 Allan, NC, 1919,

179 Ties., No. 2268.
197.
p.
F.
.
.
.
a
Soret, RNB, 1864,

331, footnote= Ties., No. 2904.
lettre
M.
Bartholomaei's note must be Amid al-Dawlah.
96
in
180 Quatrime
Amir ed-dauleh
p.
but
specimen
is
AR.
Ju
it

this issue
in
of
is
There
AR.
ABB As ID SILVER
-- *|Ju
Jus:

<\.:
&l.
&
e--
ANs
A.H.
921/2 A.D.
As above.
335.
As above.
as above.
*W**
AR.
334.
as
specimen
ANs
listed but not described
as
As above.
above.
by
listed
Zambaur."
A.H. =923/4 A.D.
gla-I.
As above.
above.
AR.
this
311
*-* (5-
UM. 26.5mm., 3.81 grm. (pierced)
.
.
Filastin. Year
*W**
to
specimen apparently similar
as
ANs
317, 320 and 322

No.
of
of
specimens
of
was aware
specimens
the years
264, 277,
only three other years,
A.H."
745.
[97
in
p.
p.
120, No. 416.

*** NZ, 1914,
79, No. 436m, Berlin, Nos. 1709, 1822-3; Quarterly
*** BM, ix,
Antiquities
Palestine, XIII, Nos. 3-4 (1948), pp. 124-5.
of
1*1
Nassar
IX
mint; before the
rare Abbsid dirham
of
and 323(?),
293
G.
recent publication
N.
excessively
by
an
Filastin
is
PLATE
the Department
of
AR.
as
Outer margin
is
cr'J
Ju
3.
&
.
.
U+*
5-3.)
337.
Casanova."
336.

is
AR.
above.
by
Outer margin
IS LA M I
R A R E
* (5-
None
of
Outer margin
INS
&
A.H. =923/4 A.D.
311
3.J
As above.
as above.
(ex Greenwood Coll.). 26mm., 2.33grm.
ANs
the published varieties appears
to
AR.
*W**
have the pellet.
>
of
AR.
as
above.
There are two other specimens
the reverse, and the other
as
34
*W*:
44;
3.1
above.
is
pellets
on
this issue, but one lacks the
not described.
A.H. =925/6 A.D.

4]
2-call
AR.
4.
Ju
ANs
this specimen differs from the known varieties.

Berlin, Nos. 1736-7; Constantinople,
333; Casanova, No. 769 (not described).
197;
p.
Berlin,
Nos. 1739-40; Constantinople, No. 661;

333; Casanova, Nos. 770-1 (not described).
[98
307);
Fasti Arabici VI, NC, 1887,
p.
Ties., Nos. 2312-13 (also
Lane-Poole,
p.
p.
307); Paris, No.

*** Ties., No. 23oo (and
No. 658; Lane-Poole, Fasti Arabici VI, NC, 1887,
185 Berlin, No. 1686; Porter, NC, 1921,
325.
p.
The reverse
of

Outer margin
2-all
*UW
&
cruel!
"
J-31) ---
340.
184

<u>
-e el: *- Asl_Ju
3
339.
3:
338.
CO
ABB As ID
ILv ER
Sq al-Ahwaz. Year 314 A.H. =926/7 A.D.

*W** 34 &-l * 313-yl
33
as above.
All
AR.
Ju
1.1%
821
above, but pellet above
"AR.
Shirz. Year
317
A.H. =929/30 A.D.
3_42
&-
*-
cruel!
As above.
Hamadhn. Year 315
4.oogrm., 2.66grm.
that mentioned
Tiesenhausen
A.H. =927/8 A.D.
J--> <- &l-e
As above.
above.
GCM
(Teheran, 1935). 27mm., 2.30grm.
14
=
187 Ties., No. 2327; Berlin, No. 1771 (?); Zambaur, NZ,
No. 787(?) (not described).
Ties., No. 2918.
177, No.
188 NZ, 1871,
[99]
1905,
p.
AR.
as
*-*
ANs. 26mm., 25mm.;
by
These are doubtless similar

the Murom find.
AR.
above.
specimens:
*W**
the
jL:
to
Outer margin
345.
respect
-->
as
J-31)
(ringed)
3:1
*W**
&
343-344.
5-all
4JW
above.
This specimen differs from published varieties

obverse pellet.
p.

Outer margin
as
ha of ilaha.
in
as
Area
A.H. =926/7 A.D.
in
*-*
*W**
Wsit. Year 314
342.
ANs
2-call
of
341.
61, No. 36; Casanova,
R A
RE IS LA M I
CO I NS
Abbsid dirhams of Hamadan are very rare. I know of only one

other date in the fourth century of the Hijrah, 307."
346.
Antkiyah. Year 318
*W**
* Su-
A.H. =930 A.D.
\lau
As above.
AR.
as above.
ANs
published
Bartholomaei
is
specimen
by
PLATE
not completely
de
scribed."
A.H. =930 A.D.
*W*:: 34 du:
<-->
*- f>J)
as
above.
all
on
one specimen
as
on
of
this year lack the pellet

pellet
specimen has
the obverse
varieties
5-all
ANs
in
AR.
of
With the exception
Berlin, the published
the reverse; and the Berlin
well."
Ju
Horseman,
helmeted,
5-all.
specimens:
R.
left; above,
coat
riding
Lias
mail
(?),
horse
J.
to
Siva,
in
of
A.D.).
Nandi, sacred bull
clining left; above,
re-
No mint. No date (Al-Muqtadir, 295-320 A.H. =908-932
348-349.
(ex Newell Coll.). 19mm., 19mm.;
ANs
4.05grm. (fitted for ring), 3.42grm.
This remarkable type has been discussed under No. 199, above,
dinar
the same design. The present specimens, both from the
of
189 Berlin,
No.
1772.
100 Ties., No. 2350.
ix,
79, No. 446"; Berlin, Nos. 1748-9; Paris, No. 1204; Con
191 Ties., No. 2345; BM,
stantinople, No. 669; Casanova, No. 774 (not described).
100
p.

4JW
of
347.
ABB As ID
ILVER
of dies, appear to be from the identical dies used in striking

the specimen in the National Museum in Damascus."
same set
350.
Al-Basrah. Year
A.H. = 933 A.D.
321
*W** 3.43 &-- ~
margin:
-a J.
"
J-l
3-5.)
Outer
Qurn
XXX,
3-4.
AR. ANS.
A
351.
single specimen, published by Fraehn, is fragmentary."
Al-Ahwaz. Year
*W*3 &J-23
27mm., 2.74grm.
&
322
#1
A.H. =933/4 A.D.

313-y\|
all
as above.
J3-2 -->
Ju Lal
4J)
l-vel
4J)
g will
&J J)
AR. ANs.
24mm., 3.Iogrm.
PLATE
similar specimen was published by Soret," but with an incom

plete description. The bibliography of comment on the extraordinary
which occurs on some other coins of al-Qhir's as

well, may be found in Tiesenhausen." The title refers to the execu
tion of the famous general Mu'nis in the year 321; in recognition of
the deed the Caliph called himself He who avenges the religion of
reverse legend,
Allh upon the enemies of Allh. The historians word it somewhat

192 mir Djafar Abdel-Kader,
in Mlanges Syriens offerts Monsieur
(Paris, 1939), pl. I (opp. p. 4oo), No. 16.
Ren Dussaud,
198 Ties., No. 2368.

194 Lettre Fraehn,
Mm. Soc. Imp. d'Archologie, St. Petersbourg, 1851, No. 27 = Ties.,
No. 238o.
195 No. 2374.
101
IS LA M I
R A R E
CO I NS
differently, but they correctly record that al-Qhir placed the

ific upon his coins."

*u. . . . 4.e3 &l
&L
as above.
all
ANs (ex
This specimen differs from two published ones

ornament in the obverse area."
lacks the
3-Ja:
As above.
ANs
(ex Newell Coll.). 24mm.,
3.01
is
Halab also
dinars," and
know
few fuls.
(S)-2
As above.
AR.
Outer margin
above.
*W*3
exceedingly rare mint.
grm.
A.H. =934-940 A.D.
32x
(?). Year
as
Halab
4.
354.
&
only four other dirhams," two
an
unique. Tarsus
is
This coin
is
PLATE
of
above.
AR.
as
Outer margin
c.
4.23
-"
&
*W*3
that
A.H. =934/5 A.D.
Tarsus. Year 323
353.
gal)
in
AR.
Allu
Outer margin
it
352.
ANs
very rare Abbsid mint, although under later rulers
of
on
of
course among the commonest.
2.33
+3*)
p.
NC,
1887,
p.
II,
Matthes),
&
&
will 4W)
254:
clies
.<-J)
Mr. Newell.
199 308 A.H.; Johnston,
NC,
1899,
266; 313 A.H.: Berlin, No. 1646.
102
is
of
p.
326; 312 A.H.: Berlin, No. 1707: 3.1x A.H.: Berlin,

333. suspect that the present coin
the same
Schulman's auction catalogue
March 30, 1914 (no. 1808), purchased
that listed
1921,
as
piece
l-el
Juynboll
(ed.
No. 464.
A.H.: Porter, NC,

333 A.H.: Lane-Poole,
(?)
in
1983oz
No. 1708;
&
J's
i,
ge 43
197 Ties., No. 2930, BM,
Ibn-Taghri-Birdi
Abu'l-Mahsin
p.
196 E.g.,
&
is
it
is
is
it
The epigraphy
the mint
name
somewhat obscure
this specimen. The fact that this coin
Abbsid, rather than Ikhshidid, would indicate that
was struck
by

honor
ABB As ID
ILVER
or between 327 and 329, for there were Ikhshi
between 322 and 324
did governors at Halab during the other years of al-Rdi's reign."

I am not aware of any Ikhshidid coins of Aleppo, although there
were issues struck by the Ikhshidids at Damascus and Tabariyah.
355.
Nisibin. Year 32x A.H. =934-940 A.D.

*W*3 &L-23 . . . ~ 3:*:
&
Jail
As above.
3:
3-3) l
Outer margin
that apparently
940/1 A.D.
3:
.
.
&
&
other Nisibin issues
abu'l-Fadl.
Al-Basrah. Year 32(9) A.H.

*W*3
U-alu
23-all
all
ANs
is
al-Rdi lack the name
356.
J
gril
above.
AR.

to
originally wrongly attributed

al-Rdi,
this specimen. The missing digit must
the only year
the third decade
which
al
to
be
9,
2440,
of
because that year
is
Tiesenhausen no.
apparently similar
ANs
in
Outer margin
as
3:31) -->
is
Muttaqi ruled.
&
Outer margin
3:
*-
*W**
as
357.
X-J
A.H. =941/2 A.D.
above.
all
J)
ll' gel
29.5mm., 2.93grm.
PLATE
32.
103
Cf. Zambaur, Manuel,
200
AR. ANs.
p.

unusual
4.
of
This dirham
of in
AR.
as above.
IS LA M I
The anomaly of al-Rdi's name on
R A R E
CO I NS
coin of the year 330 must be
as an instance of the use of an old reverse die in striking

al-Muttaqi's.
a coin of
explained
A.H. =944 A.D.
Al-Rahbah. Year 323(sic)=333(?)
*W*3 &
-li
4.e3
Outer margin
-- *-Ju
as above.
AR.
All
all
Gill
ANs
in
is
an
mistake
al-Muttaqi's,
die-engraver
is
350. Al-Rahbah
the year 322,
referred
Beirut, and
probably the well-known place
to
the specimen
one dated
that name,
be on
the foot-note above, one
the mint, al-Rahbah,
by
know only
of
exceedingly rare.
the coin
is
likely.
of I
is
else the
writing the decade. The latter alternative seems
Another remarkable feature

which
or
reverse
in
the more
in
made
in
had taken possession
316
is of
the town
mint
in
the Abbsid reconquest
as
al-Rahbah
of
it of
in
brief, appearance
of
of
to
of
b.
or
Tawq, situated
usually called Rahbat al-Shm
Rahbat Mlik
the right bank
the Euphrates not far from Qarqisiya and
al-Miydin
today. The sudden, and
identified with the town
330
probably connected with

from the Qarmatids, who
A.H.
of
an
of
is
of
1.,
of
104
E.
in
by
E.
p.
p.
p.
of
al-Rdi, has been pub

201 Another specimen
this year and mint, but with the name
lished: Tornberg, Symbolae IV, No. 45 Ties., No. 241o.
202 Porter, NC, 1921,
326.
208 Zambaur, NZ, 1922,
12. The location
this specimen
not indicated.
204 Ibn-al-Athir, VIII,
132.
full description
this locality, together with
extensive
bibliography,
given
Honigmann
s.v. al-Rahba.
is

die was used with
of
Rabi
of
date
remarkable coin
several respects.
the first place the
clearly written 323, but al-Muttaqi's rule did not begin until
329 A.H. Two explanations are possible: either
old obverse
I, is
This
In
PLATE
358.
ABB As ID
Antkiyah. Year
359.
*W*3
337
ILVER
A.H. =948/9 A.D.
&:3 &- ~ *:
Uait.
as above.
($)4]
AR.
Outer margin
&lal
ANs (ex
***
of
is
a
the very rare mint
A.H. =950/1 A.D.
*-
Antkiyah. Year 339(?)
of
is
low are the last known Abbsid issues

Antioch.
(*).5:3 (8).J.-:
360.
is
poorly struck. The decade

little doubtful but
probably correctly read. This and the coin described immediately be
This dirham
usu
3-0)
above.
ANs (ex

PLATE
very crudely executed coin
AR.
as
Outer margin
clall
All
&: Ill
to
with respect
have some reference
the
Qurn,
of
coins except
on in
on
occurrence
to
later date." Might
significance. The phrase occurs

its
not know
its
it of
but
of
explanation
do
no
is
to
is
is
both die-en
enigmatically written, the digit
graving and striking. The date
appearing
read ninety and the decade obscure. The legend be
unusual, and can offer
neath the obverse, the Evident Truth,
This
much
the Shi'ite controversy
some
which was particularly bitter during al-Muti's reign?

XXIV, 25; XXVII, 81.
Morocco, e.g., BM,
Nos. 265ff. Since this was written, another contempo
Sharifs
my attention: on
rary numismatic use
Ftimid dinar
al
the phrase has come
Candia, Monnaies Ftimites du Muse du Bardo
Mansrriyah, 342 A.H. (J. Farrugia
Ftimid
Revue Tunisienne, 1948, no. 15). The implication
(Premier Supplment),"
inquiry.
interesting field
influence
Antioch suggests
of
105
of
an
of
de
of
to
of
v,
205
at

All
RARE
IS LA M I C
No mint. No date. Al-Nasir,
361.
Within
square,
double
CO I
575-622
NS
A.H. = 1180-1225 A.D.

As obverse:
outer
beaded:
all
In
segments:
A.H.
1242
J)
J.

the coin
=
A
in
Museum. The style

Within square:
362.
ANs
somewhat similar fractional dirham with
the British
||
is
Ji
c.
Yl
||
segments:
is
AR.
of
. . .
In
AU)
dir
ABB As ID
coPPER
C. COPPER
With Names of Mints

Adhanah
Adhanah. Year 19x
Yl J1
A.H.
=806-815
A.D.
&
J-e J)
J3-2 -->
* >! U- J|
*3]
&3_* &
Margin:
** 5-3
J-M
AE.
. . .
. . .
-->
"
J.
(ex Wood Coll.). 26mm., 5.8ogrm.
ANs
of
Adana
on
is
a
the Sayhn,
today, the ancient Cilician
of
Arab Adhanah
the
"Aava on the River Saros, the Seleucid mint
Antiocheia
published," but initial errors
Soret have thrown later
In
have been
similar fuls, probably from different dies,

by
specimens
Several
of
at
In
fabric and style the coin resembles published coppers

neighbouring
from
al-Massisah" and unpublished ones from the
excavations
Tarsus.
Sarum.
of
in
in
p.
I,
Strange, Lands,
179 (cf.
344; Head, Historia Numorum, pp. 715-6.
Miles, Islamic Coins,
20*. Cf. George
131); Pauly-Wissowa,
is
Real-Encyclopdie,
in
IV, Part One

Antioch-on-the-Orontes,
1948), Nos. 150-151, pp. 111, 119. My statement on
119 with regard
Soret's
interesting
should
corrected
the light
the present positive identification.
C.
to
is
It
of
in
be
107
at
as
at
Hrn struck
al-Massisah (apparently),
well
Adhanah.
21, No. 29 Ties., No. 2463; Paris, Nos. 1643-4.
Dorn (1856),
p.
that Ahmad
209 Soret
b.
reading
p.
(Princeton,
as
I,
Le
are accurately reproduced.
*Yqt,
p.
ornaments
as
by
in
in
in
or
are
Numismatic
unpublished
of
260 copper coins

the Abbsids
the Museum
the
Society, and an insignificant few
the University Museum collection.
Notable
rare pieces among these, together with
few from my own small
following
collection, are described
apparently
unique
pages.
the
Some
but only partially
preserved specimens
the ANS have been omitted. The arrangement
this section
alphabetical,
mints. Common ornaments such
stars are conventionalized; only unusual
There
American
approximately
of
in
***
he
an
he
of
scholars off the scent

the correct attribution.
the first place Soret
thought
could read the date 333, and developed quite
erroneous
imagina
argument
support
reading.
highly
the
Then
saw
p.

new mint.
important
the
Turkish city
is
Adhanah
of It
PLATE
ad
363.
R A RE
IS LA M I C CO I NS
J-2
on the obverse. Tiesenhausen and Lavoix copied

Soret's errors, the latter adding to the confusion by reading the name
of the governor as Ahmad b. Marwn instead of Ahmad b. Hrn,
which is perfectly clear on Soret's and the present specimens. Unfor
tive als' l-all
have not been able to identify
Ahmad b. Hrn in the

Arabic chronicles.
Amal, an unusual numismatic formula, must be the substantive
tunately
form, for there is no bi before the mint name.
Arrn
364.
Arrn(?). Year
Yl J| y
-3
&L
184
A.H. =800 A.D.

-->]
J)
*A*->ve
J3-2
AUl

%
Annulets:
oo
-** &
Margin:
[oo]
** 5-3
AE. GCM.
&-l
<
19.5mm., 3.20grm.
The mint is obscure. The date, while somewhat obscure, is almost

certainly correctly read, and the fals is therefore probably similar to
one in Berlin where only the last two letters of the mint name are
preserved. I have not been able to identify the governor or prefect,
Ahmad b. Muhammad. Possibly he was that Ahmad b. Muhammad

&_--J1, who was relieved as governor of the Yaman in the year 212.
210 Berlin,
211
No. 2203.
Ibn-al-Athir, VI, p. 287.
108
ABB As ID coPPER
Arrn. Year
Yl
A.H. =808/9 A.D.

crual
J)
J3-2
all
J-Me
Margin:
≤ J-M1
AE,
the governor, al-Abbs
2.89grm.
of
the same mint and year bearing the name
b.
of
There are dirhams
GCM. 20mm.,
J-5
*3
&l
[o]
Annulets:
oo
oo
>5
&
&_*
...A-e-Pa
2-3
4
193
all
365.
Zufar (al-Hilli).
366.
Bukhr. Year
160
g-> <>
A.H. =776/7 A.D.

0
***
G3
J-4)
J3-2
All
A.
Margin:
cull
>!
3-2
e
*J.
3:
.
AE.
J-M1
** 3:-
**
&
Ji
-->
lie
(sic)
Margin:
lie
J-M1
J-yl
J.We
ANs (ex Wood Coll.). 21mm., 1.48grm.
the prefect,
218 Ties.,
No. 906; Berlin, No.
21.32a.
[109
178. For
fals
of
der Statthalter von Armenien
131; Zambaur, Manuel,
.
.
b.
Vasmer, Chronologie
Cf.
p.
1549.
No.
p.
212 Ties.,
R.
be
It
or to
Fraehn, Tiesenhausen and Ntzel left undeciphered.

seems
Qudayd (or Qadid,
that the name must
read Abadah
Monumenta Armenologica, 1927,
see Zambaur, NZ, 1905, No. 64.
is
whose name
me
pos
.,
the identity
in
of
raise the question
of
ously garbled obverse marginal legend

the present specimen,
well known. My only reason for publishing the specimen here
is
on
This fals, without the double striking which produced the curi
to

Bukhr
the year 197,
RA RE
sibly Fudayk), but
IS LA M I C CO I NS
have been unable to trace any such
individual
in the chronicles. The governor (abu-'Awn) Abd al-Malik b.

Yazid, is of course a well-known figure, adequately documented in
written history and by his coins and glass weights.
Bardha'ah
Bardha'ah. Year
y! J1 y
A.H. =779/80 A.D.
**
J)
J3-2
J)
&_* Y
W
r-
J-a <ll
Jel
U-1
is
to
Ties, no. 2769 (cf. Ties, No. 726), where the crescent
Similar
under the reverse area
not described.
Tustar
J1
Yl
ke-Pea
J3-2
all
OOO
&_*
Q
A.H. =781/2 A.D.
J)
2-3
165
Tustar. Year
368.
Ji
Annulets: (apparently) oooooo ooo
know, the only fuls
published. On the silver and the gold the name
of
as
far
the
110
1ssues,
the present
1657
13
and No.
Walker
list
of
p.
p. a
of
of
p.
is
of
name similar
to
full, Tustar min-al-Ahwaz.
*** There
an unidentified governor
Tabaristn with
father's name: J.-M. Unvala, Numismatique du Tabaristn,
(BM Cat.
the Arab-Sassanian Coins),
lxxx and
152.
AGW,
pp. 105-6, for
summary
Cf.
his career and
J-5
(Teheran, 1936). 19mm., 3.16grm.
is
to
Tustar
given
mint
in
be
This and the following coin are,
so
AE,
GCM
Margin: -->
J--> <J-M1 lia
*3
of

Margin:
*> U-yl
#23-2
AE.
&
** 3-3
&
lie -->
J-M1
<ll
Margin:
&
-3
163
367.
his glass and copper
coPPER
ABB As ID
Tustar. Year
369.
166
A.H. =782/3 A.D.
** 3:-
AE,
Similar in every respect to No. 368 above, except for the date
GCM
(Teheran, 1936). 21mm., 3.08grm.
Jayy
Madinat Jayy. Year
A.H. =774/5 A.D.
J|
AUl
there even less clear than
the hope that
3
*
known, but
here.
this fals
GCM
->
(s-all
*-*.
Gle
Jel
J-31)
(*)3V-
(Teheran, 1935). 20mm., 5.1ogrm.
is
is
prefect
may elicit the publication
the name
the
publish this piece only

of
is
on
it
have transcribed them
or
as
to
in
in
another specimen
with the prefect's name more perfectly preserved. The only really
uncertain letter
the father's name
the present example
the
next
the last; feel fairly confident that the other letters are either
the other
Kufic possibilities.
Halab
AU1
A.H. =755/6 A.D.

-A-Pve
All J3-2
>
e-A-9
<gie
IX,
111
p.
*7BM,
No. 2137.
the British
i,
in
ANs
is
AE.
** 3:3
similar fals, with mint effaced,
216 Berlin,
Qur'n
~~
Margin: Part
.
&\*
Margin:
33
All
138
of
Halab. Year
Yl Y
371.

One other example
of
AE,
G-
it is
&V.
-->
J-3
---
<!!
lie

(ex Wood Coll.). 20.5mm., 2.92grm.
lished specimens
this coin"; another specimen
not completely described.
three
pub
read 172
but
Al-Ramlah
Al-Ramlah. Year 218 A.H. =833 A.D.
y
J.]
y]
-->
el-y
J3-2
Chain border.
Margin:
All
&
e-A-0
374-375.
E.g., BM,
ix,
of
There are similar issues
al-Ramlah dated 217.
p.
112
p.
u,
BM, ix,
p.
94, No. 9ok.

97, No. 127t,
Constantinople, No. 771.
21, No. XXV Ties., No. 1165.
220 Castiglioni, Monete Cufiche,
*** E.g., Berlin, Nos. 2211-12.
219
lie -->
ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 20mm., 21mm.; 2.30grm., 3.1ogrm.

PLATE
J-M1
specimens:
E,
*JW
2

The date has been read
ANs
-->
&
J-M1
** 3-3
lie
Margin:
o
o
o
Annulets:
oo
3.
-3 J)
J1
y!
172
Dimishq. Year
373.
(No. 374)
coPPER
ABB As ID
Al-Rayy
Al-Rayy. Year 129 A.H. =746/7 A.D.
This variety of the issues of the Abbsid partisan Abdullah b.
Mu'awiyah has been published.
AE.
376.
>
3:
Ju
**
.
.
.
&
(sic)
Lal
All x2
Im.
&_*.
*3
Yl
-"
J.
le-
25mm., 4.44grm.
A.H. =746/7 A.D.
lie
J-M1
(sic)
129
Coll.).
Al-Rayy. Year
J.
377.
ANs (ex Wood
Double struck.
This
is
a
AE.
ANs
to
The garbled date and inverse line are due
double-striking.
(K. Minassian).
21mm., 2.8ogrm.
new variety.
Sq al-Ahwaz
J)
J3-2
J)
---Y)
AE,
** (*).5-3 s-- ~
NHR, No.
(ex Newell Coll.).
36C.
113
Cf. NHR, Nos. 36B-D.
223
ANs
-->
313-yl
-:
J-M1
lie
Margin:
Border
continuous (?) annulets outside double circle.
222
&
(*):-->)
<!!
&_*
-->ea
2-3
-A->
J|
al-Ahwaz. Year 16(?)1 A.H. =777/8(?) A.D.

y!
378. Sq
of

Annulets:
Margin: traces.
33
22mm., 5.06grm.
IS LA M I C CO I NS
RAR E
379.
Sq al-Ahwaz. Year 16(2)8
A.H. =784/5(?) A.D.
yl J1 y
*A*-*
-3
J3-2
J)
J)
&_* Y
380. Sq
of
prefect,
(?)b.
33-
313-yl
name
including
Traces,
c-
<ll
V*
->
AE.
3:-3
lie
**
J-M1
Margin:
al-Abbs
.
.
Margin:
~9
ANs
al-Ahwaz. Year 210 A.H. =825/6 A.D.

-A-->ea
as
Area
above.
J3-2
Ornaments above and below,
any, obliterated.
margin,
Traces
including
of
r-
ill
313-yl 455-
381. Sq al-Ahwaz.
Year 210
3.81
(3)3x
.
.
U--
(ex Newell Coll.). 23mm.,
[?...]3
ANs
oo
AE.
Annulets:
Inanne:
o
o
o
J42
J-1
grm.
A.H. =825/6 A.D.
Area
as
*A*->ea
J3-2
above.
.
.
32-
313-yl
Margin:
*%
AUl
Margin obliterated.
-->
AE.
Outer border clipped.

ANs (ex Newell
114
&:
V-3

Margin:
if
AV)
Coll.).
15mm., 1.7ogrm.
ABBA's ID
coPPER
Tabaristn
382.
Tabaristn. Year
Area as above.
A.H. = 767 A.D.
150
* >!
s-d
A->ea
-
(?)->
>
(*)-l. &
Margin:
J-8) lia
($) < J3
*3 J-->
AE,
3-3) l
4\e s- ge
Ju-J:
at
administration. Khlid
for the latter part
the
b.
in
unknown.
this mint. The

about this time;
of
is
C-:
As
to
is
the prefect,
at
time; but the words that follow, although they should

cipherable,
be
is
an
obverse marginal legend, the phrase fi-wilayat, although obscure,

can
read and
not
unusual conventional inscription
this
be
easily
de
escape me.
Al-Abbsiyah
Al-Abbsiyah. Year
Area
above.
173
A.H. =789/90 A.D.

&
as
383.
-A-->ve
-->
** 3-3
All
J-M1
J3-2
Ji
-U-V
lie
Margin:
*~
C32
be
of
(ex Torrey Coll.). 21mm., 3.85grm.
unique.
210, No. 129.
115
BM,
ANs
the year 172 are
224 E.g.,
i,
issue appears
al-Abbsiyah
to
Coppers
of
AE.
Margin: traces only.
p.

of
two provinces were closely allied
Muhammad,
<-
J)
(Teheran, 1935). 21mm., 5.06grm.
GCM
am not familiar with any other copper coins

Rayy
style
very similar
that
coins struck
the
-->
&
of
&
Margin:
at
common, but this
RA
R E
IS LA M I C
CO
I NS
Ghazzah
Ghazzah. Year 217
Area as above.
384-385.
A.H. =832 A.D.

-A-Pve
Chain border.
J3-2
All
2 specimens:
E. ANs
&
Margin:
53: J-M1
lie -->
5:V-9 3-,+
&
(ex Newell Coll.). 21mm., 19mm.; 2.82grm, 2.67grm.
PLATEX (No.
384)
225
This issue has been published, but I believe that it has never been
The
straight edges where the coins were cut apart after removal from the
mould are very apparent. The casting of copper coins in Syria and,
apparently, Palestine, in the third century of the Hijrah appears to
have been a common practice. A very large number of cast coppers
were found
386.
in the excavations at Antioch.
Ghazzah. Year 217
A.H. =832 A.D.
Similar to the above, but with
beneath the obverse area and
(apparently five) in the border outside the chain margin.
annulets
ANs
1948), Nos. 148-153, pp. 118-9.
116
Part One (Princeton,
in
of =
IV,
Orontes,
cf.
in
Karabacek, Zur orientalischen Mnzkunde,

Wiener Numismatische Monatshefte,
Ties., No. 2849;
Berlin, No. 2220 (unbestimmter Prgeort").
37, No.
For
discussion
these cast coppers,
see my Islamic Coins,
Antioch-on-the
(1867),
p.
*
*
AE.
Cast, like the above.
III

remarked that these coins were cast, not struck from dies.
ABB As ID
coPPER
Al-Kfah
387.
Al-Kfah. Year
Yl J| y
e-A-9
163
A.H. =779/80 A.D.

%
Jl
A-->ca
J3-2
&_* Y
Jl
3 J.
Margin:
Annulets: oo coo
***
the year 163
as
***
al-Kfah are known, but not lacking
165
A.H. =781/2 A.D.
-A->
J)
&_*
Jal
J3-2
All
J1
-3
3-3 +
here.
Al-Kfah. Year
y!
388.
ANs
ANs
Ishq (b. al-Sabbah al-Kindi), governor
al-Kfah,
on fuls
the year 163, but this
the first specimen
165 bearing his name that
have met with.
is
205, No. 113.

43.
117
Ties., No. 947.
** E.g.,
p.
p.
BM,
i,
227 E.g.,
22*. Cf. Zambaur, Manuel,
w.
*3%u
of
AE,
** 3-3
*-l
J-->
<
<-
3-34
*l
Margin:
oooo
of is
oo
32-l
Annulets:
of

the hundred
at
Fuls
of
AE.
(sic)
s-all
known
the year
R A
Al-Kfah. Year
389.
Area
RE
195
IS LA M I C CO INS
A.H. =810/1 A.D.
as above.
Chain border interrupted by
J3-J
ee e
AU)
W
J-31
AE.
*3%u
ANs
Margin:
-> --> * >!
** 3:- 3 J-> <
in
to
the ornaments above and

This specimen differs, with respect
the Istanbul Museum.
beneath the reverse, from that
Area
as
=8th
above.
J3-2
AUl
J
-
V-
.
.
A.D.
--->va
Margin:
[L]el
c.
H.
c.
Mh al-Kfah. Date effaced. 2nd
390.
(*):
other coppers
of
no
know
of
AE,
ANs
J-M
.
.
.33%) u:
.
.
Margin:
this mint.
Al-Muhammadiyah
Al-Muhammadiyah.
Year
185
A.H. =801 A.D.
This particular variety, with al-Harib

my
al-Harith, has been pub
NHR.
AE,
lished
or
391.
in
Constantinople,
86E.
GCM
No. 779.
118
231 No.

Mh al-Kfah
(Teheran, 1935). 23mm, 2.97grm.
ABB As ID coPPER
Misr
Misr. Year 25[9?]=87[2/3?] A.D.
392-393.
-3
all
J)
*A*-Pea
J3-2
el-A
J.]
Ornament?
y]
all
-Kyl
of b.
of
a
to
read the
dismiss this
here, for the date, unfortunately not clear
its
any further evidence were needed
Ahmad
number
Arabic figures
undertook
to
him
he
published
E.
on
certain coppers
some length
in
ment
is
262.
it
date
one specimen
by
and
have been discussed
the reverse area are similar
the past. Zambaur argued that they were
If
on
scholars
in
Tln which
at
if
to,
at
The curious symbols

the bottom
not identical with, the symbols
argu
entirety
to
of
it
Zambaur's acceptance
Ntzel's refuta
longtemps
qu'on
pas
tion?): aussi
nous fournira
une meilleure
explication,
simple
faut voir dans ces signes
ornement.
by
do
Tln
as
Ahmad
date(?)
the related
to
and mint,
not bear the name
coins referred
above.
b.
note that the present coins, Tlnid
of
to
interest
do
of
is
il
un
ne
is
Ntzel's statement (or
of
is
in
in
but almost certainly 259, written out

conventional fashion
the
margin. As for the significance
the symbols
can add nothing
It
p.
119
he
be
to
232 NZ, 1905, pp. 74-77, No. 70. The other significant references are
found there.
publishes Karabacek's cogent refutation.
194, No. 70, where
Cf. Zambaur, NZ, 1906,
NZ, 1906,
195.
p.

Coll.).
(*)
largely effaced):
ANs (ex Newell
19mm., 20mm.; 2.24grm., 1.87grm.
by
specimens
of
(1
&:W.
-->
J.--
.
.
L-a-.
lie
Margin:
Chain border.
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R A RE
Al-Mawsil
Al-Mawsil. No date (ca.
Within square:
Yl
145
A.H. =762/3 A.D.).

Within square:
*A*-*
Around:
Around:
o
L-yl
5-3.)
(ex Wood Coll.).
ANs
o
O
J-3'
AE,
Ji]*
ge
s-
ot'',
J)
[]
&
e-A-9
Jel
J3-2
&
#3
all
&
all
394.
22mm., 3.44grm.
to
of
on
b.
the specimens
cited.
Lavoix assigns the
b.
on
b.
of
on
the Umayyad period

the basis
two alternative identifi
Mu'awiyah. Al-Haytham
Mu'awiyah, which
al-Walid
of
cations
Mu'awiyah
undoubtedly the person

the present coin,
that name who was governor
Ta'if and Mecca from 141
A.H.,"
governor
143
and who later turns
Basrah
155 and
to
judge
by
in
of
the governor,
to
of
156." As for the name
as
up
of
is
sufficiently clear
by is
the style, the
undoubtedly the Caliph al-Mansur's son Ja'far,

question
Ja'far
governor
Mosul
145-146 A.H. Hence
believe this fals
dated approximately 145.
ANs
be
cf.
120
--
3:
Ji
.
*l
J-31.
Cf. Ties., Nos. 2641-2, Paris, No. 1513, etc.

Ibn-al-Athir,
pp. 387, 389;
Zambaur, Manuel,
V,
**
&-
All
Margin:
[$Jia-] U-yl
Jel V.
All
J-31
AE.
~3
lie -->
to
J3-2
p.
J|
&_2
*A*-*
Margin:
J-M1
is
32-l
J|
y
-3
A.H. =773/4 A.D.
157
Al-Mawsil. Year
y!
395.
in
of
is
in

coins
to
al-Walid
as
on
of
Mosul fuls
this general type have been pub
lished, but find none exactly similar
suspect that the
this.
prefect's name
some specimens has been misread,
for example
number
20.
ABB As ID coPPER
This fals is perhaps similar to one with date obscure (15x) in the
Bibliothque Nationale.
Nihwand
Nihwand. Year
154
A.H. =770/1 A.D.
* >!
Annulets: oo
Margin:
o oo o oo o
***
AE.
J-M1
u- ~3
->
J-5 &-
<
at
published, with the curious word

the end
margin
the reverse
read
u... The letters before the final alif
(jim,
mim; perhaps
clearly
etc.),
are
and either qf (or fa)
issue has been
the
excess space
Similar
to
Madinat Nihwand. Year
397-400.
Berlin, Nos.
186
by
pious expression
in
fill
truly, verily,
up
G-,"
to
is
the word
die-engraver
or
as
of
This
used
the
the margin.
A.H. =802 A.D.
2191-2.
specimens: ANs (ex Newell Coll.). 26-27mm.; 8.20, 5.97, 6.92, 7.oogrm.
PLATEX (No.
397)
the mint are
40. Al-Haytham
is
Zambaur, Manuel,
p.
6;
cf.
36
2,
and
mentioned
Baghdad dirham
omitted, perhaps inadvertently,
later date.
121
241 Paris, No. 1553.
in
is
scription.
289 Ties., No. 835.
240 Cf. Ties., No. 1742,
of
Cf. Zambaur, Manuel,

and table
Paris, No. 1632. The word al-amir
G.
167.
287
p.
Ibn-al-Athir, VI, pp.
II,
*
*
by Yqt,
the name
believe, indisputable.
p.
crowded but,
nun and dal
of
wand. The wau,
in
to
in
to
publish these only

confirm the reading
the Berlin catalogue
point out Lavoix's erroneous reading Amid for Nih
and

ca"
(s-"
oOO
>k
&_* Y
<!!
~ &-til
3-3) l &
J--
Yl J1 y
All
lie
396.
the
tran
RAR E
IS LA M I C CO I NS
Hamadhn
171
A.H. =787/8 A.D.

<ls.
-3
J-31)
*J)
-->
AE.
of
(5-
UM. 21mm., 8.32grm.
coin, but Lane
this
interpret the word beneath the reverse area.
of
Poole did not attempt
to
The British Museum has two specimens
.
.
J-3
*3
J.
&l-e J-M1
"
Margin:
co
Annulets: oo
oo
3_^y)
o
&_*
#
[3)]*
lie
Yl
Year
all
401. Hamadhn.
this word are distinct and well-preserved, but there are

(theoretically) exactly thirty possible readings
the combination
depending
upon
reading
Kufic letters,
the
the last three letters
of
the word (there being ten acceptable interpretations
of
of of
these
let
at
all
ters). Among these theoretical possibilities there are, believe, only

likelyal-abrad, al-abrak, and al-abradh (for the
three that are
in
by
no
is
to
us
Persian title abrz). This does not bring

much closer
the solu
tion, for
find
one suitable
such names
the chronicles.
probably the most likely.
Al-Abrad
A.H. =815/6 A.D.

&-'
ANs
&
-->
]
.
.
.
122
213, No. 136 (imperfectly preserved), and BM, ix,
*** BM,
p.
PLATE
98, No. 133P.
AE
&-
3-3)
G-J)
--
cale
4) J3-2 -->
>yl
Jal
r-
*ll
&:
>
Margin:
&_*
-3 J)
J1
200
[Madinat Hamadhn]. Year

y1
402.
i,
p.

of
The letters
ABB As ID coPPER
The obliterated mint on this fals can easily be reconstructed from
of
As
as
for the
did not leave sufficient room)
an
in in
Husayn, and that the individual

al-Rustami,
influential soldier
question
al-Husayn
al
little doubt but that the first name

is
(for which
the die-engraver
etc.
b.
think there can
2.3%
is
governor,
be
has been variously read
reverse)
at
be
(if
two published specimens of the same coin. I publish the present

specimen only to discuss the identity of the governor and prefect.
The missing prefect's name
such
the word
the bottom
the
'Umar
al-Jibal during the struggle
be
for his services
being appointed governor
of
by
as
a
in
tween al-Amin and al-Ma'mun

the years 194-196 A.H." The coin
now demonstrates that
mawla of al-Ma'mun he was rewarded
Hamadhn.
Al-Yaman
Al-Yaman. Year 157 A.H. =773/4 A.D.
The inscriptions roughly
the center
obverse and reverse are
of
in
hole bored through the coin.
J1
J-M
Margin: Traces
~~3 &-
only preserved.
the following year,
158.
22mm., 2.12grm.
to
al-Yaman are known

The piercing
curious.
is
coppers
of
Two other Abbsid

in
IX,
33.
AE, ANS.
dated
Qurn,
me, both
It
Annulets:
oo .
.
3:
V.
--
Margin:
&_*
AU)
e-A-5
of
by
y!
obliterated
does not
No.
143d,
also Berlin,
of
is
It
so
99,
cf.
e,
2*
with mint
ix,
p.
as
an
as
seem likely that this humble copper coin was pierced for wearing
frequently are.
ornament
silver and gold coins
in
No. 2219, another specimen
effaced.
237.
123
y.
p.
p.
852-3. Cf. Ibn-Khaldun, III,

95, Nos. 98*,
246 BM, ix,
in
in
p.
is
&
I,
in
of
p.
of
of
Tayfr, client
al-Hdi, governor
was
Isbahn
169 A.H. (Ibn-al-Athir,
al-Mansur, who died
64). Cf. Tayfr, client
186 (Ties., No. 812, with reference
Ibn-Taghri-Birdi [ed. Juynboll
Matthes],
523).
misspelled, but corrected
244a Tabari, III, pp. 778, 8oo (where the name
the addenda),
244 There
VI,
to

403.
IS LA M I
R A R E
CO I
NS
terest to note that one of the British Museum specimens
is
twice
pierced, not in the center but near the periphery.
Mint Names Lacking or Effaced

No mint. No date.
% ".
404.
J-yl
&
&-N
&"
cle
?-->
%
Margin:
U-yl 4.
. .
. .
All
.
AE,
Margin:
J.-
. . . y1
J1
ANs
to
The officials
question are almost
those whose names appear
specimens:
In
>k C:
Nos. 405-6
gle
"I
5-4
c.
J
ANs
center:
J3-2
(ex Brand Coll.). 15mm., 13.5mm.; 1.65grm.,
PLATEX (No.
2545-6; Paris, No. 1671.

102-3, where his Egyptian career
Cf. AGW, pp.
124
summarized.
as
the same issue
is
above. These specimens are surely
of
The officials Mahmud and Salih are unidentified.

246 Ties., Nos.
Margin:
square:
*$
form
E,
.
.
Around,
in
C:
***
record
unknown Mahmud, which the phrase
was.
we have
No mint. No date.
V- of
405-406.
as
certainly the same ones

below.
'Ali, but
on
he
as
a
'ala yaday indicates that
Salih
in
hazard the guess that Salih

prefect under
him
identify the officials. One might

no
loss
to
am still
at
an is a
is
so,
large heavy characters
published specimens. The style,

the areas, seems
me Egyptian,
b.
this
variant
in of
but
if
its
is
apparently
with
of

This
PLATE
See
-->
1.61 grm.
405)
No.
404
that published
ABB As ID
coPPER
by Soret, and attributed to abu-Ja'far Ashins.
I think there
doubt but that Soret's reading Achnas is
misreading of
millah.
-[2-3
(continuing
in):
gin)
the
Margin:
*I
J1] yl J1 y
mar-
s-
Center
in):
gin)
>
-->
G3
(continuing the mar

$1]
*J
&
J-1]*)
Gle
Center
Margin:
J%
All
>y
bis
A.H. =773-776 A.D.).
date. (ca. 157-159
lie
No mint [Misr]. No
407.
is little
(ex Newell Coll.). 20mm. (thickness 3.5mm.), 8.26grm.
known," attributed
Qinnasrin, but
this issue are
to
of
Varieties
No mint
name
on
doubt that the mint name has been read correctly.
Qinnasrin legible
the Paris specimen, which
illustrated. Lavoix must simply have followed Tiesenhausen's
error, others
sources, some
whom must have read Qinnasrin
is
present here, nor
in in
in
is
style and fabric
typically Egyptian
The coin
exceptionally thick), and Matar served
the mint.
is
of
mention
(it
making
no
of
is
Egypt.
effaced. Year 151 A.H. =768 A.D.
margin
Outer
within outer linOuter margin within linear
circle:
pellets,
ear circle and circle
y
p.
J1
J1
yl
.
.
J!
Inner margin:
(*)--all
J-31 U
within border
Ji
Inner margin
Jel
5-3
.
.
<!!!
&
oo
:
-->
**
~ &-'ll
J-M1
lie
.
.
.
5-
annulets,
of
by
interrupted
V.
Mint
408.
():
125
p.
249
in
to
37
=
26, No.
Ties., No. 2568.
Dorn (1856),
AGW,
would therefore delete my reference
these coins
135.
AGW,
Ties.,
2626,
Paris,
my
pp.
118,
124, for Matar's glass weights.
250
No.
No. 1601. Cf.
248 Soret

PLATE
is
ANs
AE,
R A
RE IS LA M I C
by roughly
Center obliterated
CO
I NS
Center obliterated by hole.
AE,
square hole.
(ex Valentine Coll.). 25mm., 4.96grm.
ANs
it
is
is
this very curious piece

worn
just barely possible that
might
al-Sughd, but
the mint name
quite smooth.
given the condition
It
be
Unfortunately
of
PLATE
be
is
of
is
at
of
of
at
of
this point any reading must

highly problematical. The flan shows the characteristics
casting,
opposite sides
that
there are straight edges
the periphery
where the piece was cut off. The arrangement
the legends
un
the legend
of
conventional, and the borders, especially the reverse inner border,

are atypical.
believe everything points toward
Central Asiatic
help
explain
provenance
mint. Such
would
the later piercing
in
it
as
a
square hole:
126
252 Cf. Nos. 384-5 above.
coinage and
the issues
of
in
the Bukhran
Ilek-Khns.
of
Compare the unconventionalities
of
is
Asiatic origin, although this

not
firm argument for there are
Syria and Palestine
cast flans
the Abbsid period.
in

times
subsequent
was probably used
Chinese cash. The cast flan might also indicate Central
the coin with
the
AND TITLES
(-ex] 3.
&
-->l
&
85-7
3:)
23-all
Ju
5211
107
&3-A
117,
74,
73
->
72,
G2-l
120
Liey)
J-yl
5-31) ---y)
62-3,
J-y
J- -
118, 122
>>
122
6o
J.-Jia
39-40, 52, 62-3, 83, Ioo
*Ji
G-J)
-->
.
.
.
G3
eV->
62
3.
5-3) l
-->
115
71
59
AU1
g-yl
->J1
--
63
66
127
5-31)
3:
A
122
122
Ji
&
3-3) l
63
120
*J)
y)
3-y
J-31
62-3
Gle
~)
10
66
83,
81,
74,
64,
106,
J-el
(V-y
106
59, 62-4, 71, 109-10, 113, 120, 122, 124
60,
38-9,
41,

64-6,
-->
g.
-->
& &
Io8
-Wi
&
103
Jall
69
3-3) l
5-3) l
J1
& &
5-31)
of
53, 53,
78-9
193
cruel!
3:
3-3) l
46-52, 92-100
?:)
Jia-
88
3:
88
3:
I C N A MES
A RA
&
IND EX OF
als
-l
(als
*/
4-law)
als'
R AR E
IS LA M I C
NS
CO I
64-5
5-31)
--! -->
* >]
ge_l1
+ 1301
60
60
g->
58
s-all &l=0)
61
&3_* *-isol
65 33le
&
53,
3-0-J
84
&#133/133
33
G-Ul
"V.
1923
3-1-1]
Gle
*J)
G3 U.J.
61, 115
C3
&-l
*_*
65
121
cle
Laul
-l
J-31
&
-->
Ji J1
J.
<!!!
-->
-->
-e
& &
&
401
64
5-ke
-->
& &
74
74
|
128
are
"-"
s--J
-->
cull -->
cull -->
"J.
109
cruell
c=ley)
33-,
3)
31
**
&
31
109
cru-Ji
& A." &
72 74
66,
83
->
113
~3:l.
->
&-3) l
33-ul twyl
123
& &
7o
33
AU-2)]
75,
80
38,
&-341 -->l
109
74

34
clall
I24
&#1
77
G-3
&
Gle
&
&
4. . . .
122
111 &W.
J1
22.2
-->
IND
X OF A R A
C NA
AN
-" &l &
7"
IT
L E
& ge
& G-3
Gle
52 & 3.01
-->
73
V-
g-ku
53,
11,
69
Jaill
Jal
646
J.
101
74
123
*-i-
33-ul
J1
33-ul
--
3:31)
-e
J-Il
Ye
72
66,
&
64
&-3) l
33-ul &l=ll
3-3. L-l
71
74
646,
--> 33-ul
G3 33-ul
J1
78-80
ul
Gill
J33:ll
Gle
37,
1034
-->
&
&
124
--
37,
36,
83
81,
79-80
J-31)
--
76.7
41,
84-6
46-52,
lll J1
41-2, 87-9
39-41, 83-7
91-100
42-4, 89.91
129
s-1)
G3.
Ju
Ju
Ju
J-31)
54,
125
all
--
&-31)
Ula.
clall
5-all
J-all
r-all
JV -a
Gle ---all
&
106
?-->
Ju 5-ll
Ju J-a-l
105
38,
6o
80-1
-->
-->
all
68
9_*
+**
C-t:
3-0)
II3
66,
121,
72
115,
&
III,
58,

II 5-3.) > -->

-->
125 3-3) l
Casall
JW 5-all
JW gasil
RARE
IS LA M I C
CO
I NS
*
101
J1
JW L-a:ll
37
&J
all l-el & c=ll

34 9-a
117
--
5-31)
5-31) >l &
117
58, 111, 115, 121, 125
3-1-1)
109
84,
->
s-til
s-til
~~~
(s-all
--> s+ll
(5->
60
G3 G-3
Ju
86-7
3331)
G3.
G3.
114
--
J-31)
&
125
U-ul
61
86-7, 106
84,
122,
63
*_*
J5_^
&
42
s'
40
61
4-1
&
4.3.
cl_*
&
59,
G->
*->
60
5:13
J3-J)
&J
110
130
Ju
(**)
G-1 + 3
59
64,
109
-- 32
J-31)
120

122
36-7, 77-8
L-as
-"J
IND EX OF MINTS
-u.J.
al-'Abbsiyah
Adhanah
107
431
Ju:23,
Adharbayjn
Africa,
59, 115
29
15-6
33-yl
al-Ahwaz
40, 48, 52, 88-91, 94, 101
al-Andalus
J.J. Yl
19
Antkiyah
is
56-7, 96, 100, 105
Ardabil
Ua
J224!
49
Ardashir-Khurrah 3_-_-2321 7
Arminiyah
-->l 22, 75, 90
Jlul
Lil
J--
30
5,
63,65
50, 110
(c.3_
3-2.Jl
al-Basrah (Basrah)
Bihqubadh al-Awsat la-syl
Sure
3-4, 7-8
9,
Bishapur,
72, 84, 90, 93, 101, 103

23
&
Bardha'ah
30
el.
Ba'alabak
Balkh
31-2
5,
57-8, 74, 108-9
109
Su-
25, 30, 44, 46-7, 66, 72, 77-9, 90-2, 112
116
102,
li.a
III
27, 49, 99, 122
65
cl_a
Hart
&l_- 17, 41,
Harrn
al-Hrniyah #3_Ul
131
--
42-4, 51,
Filastin gla-I,
Ghazzah
Halab
Hamadhn
74, 85-6
crols
Frs (Fris)
97
(54.2
95
Dimishq
c.22
60
Dasht Maysn
24
24
Luse
Bukhr
J22
Dabil
Drbjird, 1-2,

Arrn
Atrib
RA
Ifriqiyah
...,
Isbahn
&W-1
22, 61
43, 73,79, 89, 95
U-la-l
57
lus
92
al-Janzah
53:Jayy
G+
23
III
Jundi Sabur 2u- s->

al-Karaj
G-31 44-5
Khaznat Halab
Khwrizm, 10-12
--
Ju_s
4, 8
,<
as
112
25-6, 57, 62, 69-71, 92, 96, 117-8
Madin Amir al-Mu'minin &

Madin Bjunais J->\ 0--
L-
64-5
36-7,
0-
20
47,53,55, 58,
..
81-2
-3U.
&V.
38
2,
37, 58-9, 61-3, 118
121
64
u.
43, 103
&
L-5
4I
--J1
104
112
113
132
5,
al-Ramlah
Al-J1
al-Rayy
&_J1
44, 46-7, 70, 86, 97-8, 102
23
61
23
al-Rahbah
... ll
J1
al-Rafiqah
&xas
Gil
Qumm
Jull
43',
Nihwand
Qinnasrin
120
31, 36-40, 46-9, 51-3, 74, 76, 79-81, 84, 119
al-Mubarakah
al-Muhammadiyah
Nisibin
33,43-4,
27
J-5il
L-a-
Nisabr
5-6,
17
Misr
26
:
Marw (Marv)
al-Mawsil
Maysn
81, 118
..
Mandhir
.u.
,<!
Mh al-Kfah
Makkah
is
87, 94-6, 98, 100, 103, 106

&-
(3.J
Madinat al-Salm
.311
66,
al-Kufah
*>
63,
Kirmn
24
61,
Jannb
42,
Istakhr
IS LA M I C CO I NS
R E
84,
,-
Samarqand
as
al-Smiyah
...V.J
-----
Sinjr
Bux16 2,
SR
2-
93,
30
Spain,
78, 87-8
99
Shirz
jL:
23
313-yl
la-13
L.;
48, 51,
60
-u.Jl
al-Yammah
al-Yaman
33, 89, 92-4,
123
63,
Wsit
99 &
110-1
min-al-Ahwaz
J1
Tustar
54,
73
L-
115
31
...l.
&
Zaranj
G-3
mint,
19, 21, 28-9, 34-5, 52, 59, 77,91,
No
9,
17-8, 30, 54, 88, 125
133
Uncertain mint,

12-5,
Tarsus cr:--,
102
Taymarrah
3_Tustar
97
&
Ju-Jil
Tabaristn
Tabariyah
113-4
36-7, 41, 78-9, 83,
31
Surra man-ra'a (sl2

Surraq
25,
U-
Sq al-Ahwaz 313-yl 53- 47-8, 91, 99,
53
Sistn,
25
Guji
93
al-Shsh
MINTS
64, 66, 71
96,
Sarakhs
O F
25
36-7, 39, 41, 46, 62, 76
al-
San'a
I N DE X
100, 106, 124-5
INDEX OF PERSONS
(mentioned in historical commentary)
(or Qadid, or Fudayk),

abu'l-Abbs Ahmad, 87
al-Abbs b. Amir al-Mu'minin, 75
Abadah
b. Qudayd
al-Abbs b. al-Ma'mun,
al-Abbs b.
75
Zufar (al-Hilli),
109
Abd al-A'la b. Ahmad, 75

Abd al-Malik b. Marwn b. Msa,
Abd al-Malik b. Yazid, IIo
31
Abd al-Rahmn b. Khqn, 75

Abdullh,
14

Abdullah b. 'Amir, 4
Abdullah b. Khzim, 5-6, Io
Abdullah
b. Mu'awiyah,
113
Abdullah b. al-Mu'tazz, 39
Abdullh Shh,
12
Abdullah b. Thir, 67-8

Abdullah b. Zubayr, 4
al-Abrad,
122
Ahmad b. 'Abd al-'Aziz, 86

Ahmad b. Hrn, 107-8
Ahmad b. Marwn, 108
Ahmad b. Muhammad,
108
Ahmad b. al-Muwaffaq, 85, 87

abu-Ahmad Talhah, 84
Ahmad b. Tln, 40, 119
Ahmad b. Yahya b. Rabi', 60
Ali b. 'Abdullh al-Sufyani, 67
abu-Ali al-Husayn b. al-Qsim, 52
Ali al-Rida, 71
Ali Sulaymn, Io
Ali b. Sulaymn,
10
134
109-10
I N DE X OF
P E R S O N S
Amid al-Dawlah, 52, 96

al-Amin, 10, 123
Amru b. al-Layth, 85-7
al-Asfar,
70
'Atiyah b. al-Aswad, 8
Atrib
b.
Misr b. Baysar b. Hm b. Nh, 32
abu-'Awn,
IIo
A'yan b. Harthamah, 73
abu-Bayhas al-Haysam b. Jbir, 67
Bill b. al-Hrith, 21
Byids, 93

al-Dahhk, 33
Dhl-Ri'satayn,
71
Dhul-Yaminayn, 70
abu-Dulafids, 45, 86
al-Fadl,
11
abu'l-Fadl,
103
al-Fadl b. Sulaymn, 12
al-Fadl b. Yahya, 10-12
Ftimids,
105
Ghassn b. Abbd b. abi'l-Faraj, 73
al-Hadi, 123
Hadrian, 32
al-Hajjj b. Ysuf, 8, 67
al-Hakam b. Sinn, 63
Hammd (al-Barbari), 62
Hni, 14
abu-Harb al-Mubarqa, 68
al-Harib, 118
al-Harith,
118
135
RA
R E
LS
MI
CO
Harthamah b. yan, 63, 73

Hrn b. Khumrawaih, 42
al-Hasan b. Sahl, 73
al-Haytham b. Mu'awiyah,
I,
Heraclius
120
17
Hlg, 56
al-Husayn b. 'Umar al-Rustami, 123
abu'l-Husayn al-Qsim b. 'Ubaydullh,
Ibn-Bayhas, 67-9, 72
abu-Ibrhim, 89
Ikhshidids,
102-3
Ilek-Khns,
126
Ja'far,
al-Kindi,
117
12
abu-Ja'far, 89
abu-Ja'far Ashins,
125
Ja'far b. al-Mansur, 120

Ja'far b. Muhammad, 12
13
II,
Khlid b. Muhammad,
al-Mahdi,
1-3
al-Mahdi al-Fadl li'llh,

Mahmud, 124
al-Ma'mun, 68, 70, 75,
123
125
136
Bayhas, 67-9,
72
Muhammad
'Amru,
Muhammad
abi-Sufrah,
al-Muhallab
b. b. b.
Muflih al-Ysufi,
50
Matar,
Khusrau
115
85
Jarir,
6o

Ishq b. al-Sabbah
43
INS
I N DE
OF
P E R S
ON
Hrn al-Rashid, 68
Muhammad b. Salih al-'Alawi, 68
Muhammad
b.
Muhammad
b. Salih b. Bayhas
al-Kilbi, 67-9, 72
Muhammad b. Sulaymn, 42
al-Muhtadi, 38, 83
al-Muktafi, 89
Mu'nis, IoI
al-Muntasir, 38
Muqtil,
14
al-Muqtadir,
50, 52, 100
Msa b. Nusayr,
abu-Muslim, 26
16

al-Musta'in, 82-3
al-Mustansir, 54
al-Musta'sim, 54, 56
al-Mu'tadid, 85, 87-9
al-Mu'tamid,
84-5, 87-8
al-Mu'tasim, 68-9, 75, 77

al-Mutawakkil, 84
al-Mu'tazz, 38-9, 82-3
al-Muti,
54, 105
al-Mutaqqi,
103-4
al-Muwaffaq, 84-5, 87-8

al-Nasir, 54,
106
al-Nasir li-din Allh, 84

al-Qhir, 101-2
Qarmatids,
104
Rabi' b. Ziyd, Io
al-Rdi,
103-4
al-Rid,
71
Saffrids, 85-7, 92-3
137
R A R E
IS LA M I
S'id b. Makhlad, 84-5

Sajids, 50
Salih b.
'Ali,
124
Salm b. Ziyd, 5
abu'l-Sary, 70
al-Sari b. Mansur (abu'l-Sary), 70
Sulaymn, 13
Thir b. al-Husayn, 70
Tayfr, 123
Trajan, 32
Tlnids, 40, 42, 86,
119

Ubaydullah b. abi-Bakrah, 7
Ubaydullah b. al-Sari, 74
Ubaydullah b. Ziyd, 5
Umar b. al-Al, 12-3
Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz,

Umar b. 'Ubaydullh, 7
21
Uthmn, 64
Wali al-Dawlah, 43
al-Walid b. Mu'awiyah,
Wasif, 50
120
al-Wthiol, 68
Yahya b. al-Rabi', 59
Zanj, 84
Ziyd b. abi-Sufyn, 4
138
CO
INS

PLATES

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
ARAB-SASSANIAN

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
PLATE
ARAB-SASSANIAN
II

RARE ISLAMIC COINS

PLATE
ARAB SASSANIAN: 2932a. BUKHARA IMITATIONS:

KHWARIZM, 35. TABARISTAN: 3639a.
III
3334a.

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
# W.
PLATE IV
TABARISTAN: 39b52. EARLY AFRICAN AND SPANISH: 5457.

BYZANTINE-ARAB: 5861. POST-REFORM UMAYYAD GOLD: 6268.

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
"'NA
s.
POST_REFORM UMAYYAD SILVER
PLATE V

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
POST_REFORM UMAYYAD COPPER
PLATE VI

RARE ISLAMIC COINS

PLATE VII
ABBASID GOLD

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
ABBASID GOLD:
PLATE VIII
188203.
ABBASID SILVER:
220256.

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
PLATE IX
"
ABBASID SILVER

RARE ISLAMIC COINS
ABBASID SILVER:
PLATE X
346362.
ABBASID COPPER:
363408.

Rare Islamic Coins / by George C. Miles

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Aare /s/amic Coins

THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY

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coPYRIGHT, 1950, BY THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC sociETY

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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NUMISMATIC NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS

NUMISMATIC NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS

ing to coins, paper money, medals and decorations.

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which it is proposed to describe inedited and rare Islamic

Yacoub Artin Bey in the late nineteenth century, acquired by

Pennsylvania Museum, whose authorities have generously placed

for example, the

Society for purposes of publication.

this and other collections systematically, beginning

Islam, need scarcely

Islamic numismatics, history and geography. The orderly presenta

this collection have been published

The American Numismatic

The Umayyad and early Abbsid dinars

the already great mass

Generated on 2015-10-15 10:18 GMT / http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.$b460939

have been liberal: that

numismatic literature. Thus, while

have checked each specimen against the descriptions

the vast and often obscure

and (for me) the disproportionately unrewarding labor involved

books, catalogues and articles, each search has

means been exhaustive.

Post-Reform Umayyad Coinage, beginning with the earliest dinars

the Abbsid Caliphate

and with the later Islamic empires, kingdoms and principalities

evolved during the course

al-Malik, and continuing down

Generated on 2015-10-15 10:18 GMT / http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.$b460939

Bukhr and Tabaristn are

The present volume deals with rarities

Generated on 2015-10-15 10:18 GMT / http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.$b460939

Abbsid Coins of Bukhr

Abbsid Governors of Tabaristn

Earliest African and Spanish Issues

THE ABBASID CoINAGE

With Names of Mints

Mint Names Lacking or Effaced

Glass Weights and Stamps,

Museum of the American Numismatic

Berlin=Heinrich Ntzel, Katalog der Orientalischen Mnzen, I:

John Walker, A Catalogue of the Arab-Sas

Inventaire sommaire de la Collection des

Dorn, Nova Supplementa=B.

Acad. Imp. Scient.

Dorn, Nova Supplementa ad Re

Ibn-Khaldn=Kitb al-'Ibar, ed. Blq, 1284 A.H.

Khedivial Library=Stanley Lane-Poole, Catalogue

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Monnaies Musulmanes de S.A. la Princesse Ismail, Paris, 1896.

Le Strange, Lands=G. Le Strange, The Lands of the Eastern Cal

Le Strange, Palestine=Guy Le Strange, Palestine under the Mos

Muruj=Kitb Murj al-Dhahab,

Markov, Inventarnii Katalog Musulmanskikh

Miles, The Numismatic History