Coin, gold dinar, al-Mansur, Abbasid Caliphate, 138 AH
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
138 AH
Dinar coin issued by the Abassid Caliph al-Mansur (754-775 AD). Struck at the Damascus mint (probable) in the year 138 AH (755-756 AD). The coinage reform which led to the issue of this coin began in 77 AH (696-697 AD) under the Umayyad Caliph 'Abd al-Malik. It removed all symbolism associated with Byzantine or Sassanian rule.
Instead a purely inscriptional coin-type, giving in Arabic ( script and language) the Muslim confession of faith, and various Qur'anic verses were employed. On gold coins the date is of production is provided but, during the early years of the Abbasid Caliphate, usually not the name of the mint, it is believed that Damascus was the normal gold mint. Obverse: At centre Arabic legend (Kufic script) in three lines (translation: There is no deity except God alone, He has no equal); around Arabic legend (translation: Muhammad is the prophet of God sent with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion, averse although idolaters may be - source: Codrington p.23).
Reverse: At centre Arabic legend (Kufic script) in three lines (translation: Mohammad is the messenger of Allah - source: Plant p.44); around Arabic legend (translation: In the Name of Allah this dinar was struck in the year eight and thirty and one hundred). Edge: Plain.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Overall: 19 mm (Outside Diameter), 3.972 g (Weight); Exhibition Collection Management: 19 mm (Width)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Baghdad (Mint)
- Place recorded
- Islamic Empire
- Denomination recorded
- 1 Dinar
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-79334
- Museum object name
- Coin - 1 Dinar, al-Mansur, Abbasid Caliphate, Islamic Empire, 138 AH
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- NU 16171
- Published references
- cf BMC 10 but Year 138
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.