'Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Muti'. AH 334-363 / AD 946-974. Silver-Gilt Pictorial Medallion (36.2mm, 5.64 g, 12h). Madinat al-Salam mint. Dated AH 359 (AD 969/70). VF, gilding mainly intact but worn from high points of the design.

Islamic Auction 15 – Session One
Lot: 62.
Closing Date: Oct 28 2026 11:00 GMT

Abbasids, Gold

Estimate: $ 25 000

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'Abbasid Caliphate. Al-Muti'. AH 334-363 / AD 946-974. Silver-Gilt Pictorial Medallion (36.2mm, 5.64 g, 12h). Madinat al-Salam mint. Dated AH 359 (AD 969/70). la ilaha illa Allah - Muhammad rasul Allah - billah al-Muti‘ lillah, Long elaborate cross, with two falcons perched facing on each upper limb, their talons reaching donwards towards two water-birds facing beneath them / bi-Madinat al-Salam - tis‘a wa - khamsin wa thalath mi’a, Two ibex facing, ornament above, hound (?) running to left below. Loop-mounted, pierced at 7h on obverse. VF, gilding mainly intact but worn from high points of the design. Of the highest rarity, apparently unpublished and believed unique.

XRF analysis of eleven different points on the surface indicates that the body of the medallion is composed of an alloy of approximately 75% silver and 25% copper, with lead as the most prevalent trace element.

While this beautiful medallion was produced when the Buwayhids exercised control both over Baghdad and over the caliph himself, it bears the name and titles of al-Muti‘ only. Like most other large Islamic pictorial pieces known from this period, it is a cast medallion rather than a struck coin, doubtless because striking such a large piece in high relief was beyond the minting technology of the day. The style of the calligraphy on this and other medallions from the period is markedly different from that seen on contemporary coins, probably because they were produced by jewellers rather than the die-engravers who prepared dies for currency issues.

It is surprising that al-Muti‘ should have felt able to produce a piece such as this which omits the names of his Buwayhid ‘protectors’, but perhaps these medallions were seen as privately-made objects which the caliph might commission and issue in a personal capacity.

The final winners of all lots in Session One of CNG Islamic Auction 15 will be determined during the live sale held on 28 October 2026.

Session Two of CNG Islamic Auction 15, a timed online sale, will be held on Thursday, 29 October 2026, beginning at 2:00 PM GMT.



Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 25% for all others.

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