Abbasid Dirham: Harun Al-Rashid 187 AH / 802 AD

Description

A Remarkable Silver Abbasid Dirham of Harun al-Rashid — Madinat al-Salam, 187 AH (802 AD)

This exquisite silver dirham, struck in Madinat al-Salam (Baghdad), is a superb testament to the cultural and political zenith of the Abbasid Caliphate under Caliph Harun al-Rashid.

Minted from 2.5 grams of fine silver and measuring 25 mm in diameter, the coin displays the elegant Kufic script and balanced geometry characteristic of early Abbasid artistry. Its inscriptions—crisp and beautifully aligned within concentric circular borders—reflect the empire’s emphasis on precision, faith, and authority.

Issued during one of the most celebrated reigns in Islamic history, this dirham is not merely a monetary artifact but a tangible fragment of a golden era—an era of flourishing scholarship, global trade, scientific advancement, and poetic brilliance.

A coin like this stands as a timeless witness to the grandeur of Baghdad at its peak, making it a magnificent addition for historians, collectors, and connoisseurs of Islamic numismatics.