'Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Muqtadir. AH 295-320 / AD 908-932. AR Donative Dirham (19.4mm, 2.71 g, 7h). Pictorial type. Without mint or date. Near VF, some surface porosity.

Islamic Auction 5 - Session 1
Lot: 88. Estimated: $ 2 000

‘Abbasid Caliphate, Silver

Sold For $ 3 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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'Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Muqtadir. AH 295-320 / AD 908-932. AR Donative Dirham (19.4mm, 2.71 g, 7h). Pictorial type. Without mint or date. Obverse: Caliph on horseback riding left, his right hand holding reins, his left hand on the hilt of a sword which hangs at his side; to either side of his head: lillah – Ja‘far / Reverse: Horned bull (or zebu) kneeling to left, with hump on his back and decorated flanks; above: al-Muqtadir billah, with Brahmi legend and tamgha. Ilisch B I 1; Album 247. Near VF, some surface porosity. Very rare.

This remarkable type is ultimately derived from the bull-and-horseman drachms of the Hindu Shahi dynasty, struck circa AD 850-950. Al-Muqtadir issued donatives of this type in both gold and in silver. The present coin is remarkable for preserving two Brahmi characters above the bull on the reverse, presumably taken directly from the prototype.



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