Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Abbasid Empire
Harun Rashid
Dirham
阿拔斯帝國
哈倫·拉希德
迪拉姆
Item number: A59
Year: AD 805-806 (AH 190)
Material: Silver
Size: 21.54 x 22.46 mm
Weight: 2.96 g
Manufactured by: Al-Muhammadiyah (Now Ray, Iran)
Provenance: Comptoir des Monnaies 2023
This coin is a silver dirham issued by Harun al-Rashid, the fifth caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate. Harun al-Rashid is also a legendary hero known in the popular folk tales of “One Thousand and One Nights” (Arabian Nights).
The central inscription on the obverse of the coin is written in Arabic and reads from top to bottom in three lines from right to left: “There is no god but Allah, the One God, Unequaled in Power.” This represents the first half of the Muslim declaration of faith recited during prayers, known as the Shahada, which translates to “There is no god but Allah”. The surrounding legend states, “In the name of Allah, this Dirham was minted in the year 190 of the Hijra by Muhammad Diya in Al-Muhammadiyah.” Al-Muhammadiyah was located near the present-day Iranian capital, Rey. Rey has historical significance as a major city in ancient Persia and continued to thrive during the Islamic era, with the Abbasid Caliphate minting coins there.
The central inscription on the reverse of the coin reads from top to bottom in three lines: “Muhammad,” “is the messenger,” “of Allah.” This represents the second half of the Shahada, which translates to “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The surrounding inscription states, “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, despised by the polytheists, yet he carries the guidance and truth of the religion sent to proclaim the truth, surpassing all religions.”