Abbasid Silver Dirham Caliph al-Mahdi AH 160 (776 AD) Baghdad

• Denomination: Dirham

• Dynasty/Caliphate: Abbasid Caliphate

• Ruler/Caliph: Al-Mahdi (AH 158–169 / 775–785 AD)

• Year of Minting: AH 160 (776/777 AD)

• Mint: Madinat al-Salam (Baghdad, Iraq)

• Material: Silver

• Weight: 2.92 grams (Excellent, full-weight standard)

• Diameter: 24 mm

• Script: Kufic Arabic

• Manufacture: Hammered

Description

An authentic, high-quality early medieval Islamic Silver Dirham struck under the third Abbasid Caliph, al-Mahdi. Minted in the heart of the Islamic Golden Age at the legendary capital city of Baghdad, this hammered silver piece showcases crisp, geometric Kufic script and a remarkable full weight.

Detailed Inscriptions & Translation

• Obverse : Features the core Islamic declaration of faith (Shahada) in the central field: "There is no deity but God alone; He has no associate" (Lā ilāha illā Allāh waḥdahū lā sharīka lahū). The outer circular Kufic legend contains the exact minting formula:

  “In the name of God, this dirham was struck in Madinat al-Salam [Baghdad] in the year one hundred and sixty [AH 160].”

• Reverse: Features the prophetic formula in the central field: "Muhammad is the Messenger of God" (Muḥammad rasūl Allāh), surrounded by a marginal Qur'anic text profile. (Note: Image IMG_2629.jpg shows the reverse face inverted).

Physical Attributes & Condition

• Weight: 2.92 grams — Exceptionally heavy and full-weight for this issue (typical specimens frequently average lower due to historical wear or clipping).

• Diameter: 24 mm

• Flan: Slightly wavy flan, an entirely authentic and original characteristic of early medieval hand-hammered coin production.

• Condition: Strong central details with clear, sharp Kufic letterforms across both faces. Shows a beautiful, honest light grey toning with stable, highly attractive surfaces.