Abbasid Caliphate, temp. Al-Mahdi, al-Basra Mint, AR Dirham, AH 160 = AD 776/7

Abbasid Caliphate, Al-Mahdi, AH 158-169 / AD 775-785, al-Basra Mint, AR dirham (Silver, 26 mm, 2.94 g), AH 160 = AD 776/7 - very attractive

Arabic Title : إسلامية، الخلافة العباسية، المهدي، ضرب في البصرة، درهم فضة، 160 هـ

Era/Ruler: Abbasid Caliphate, time Al-Mahdi

Mint/Date : Al-Basra, AH 160 = AD 776/7

Denom : AR Dirham

Wt/Dia : 2.91 g / 25 mm

Obv: First part of kalima in 3 lines; mint and date formula around

Rev: Continuation of Kalima, name "Muhammad" on the last line is notation of the name of the governor "Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Abbasi" who was appointed governor three times from 146 through 173 AH

Ref: Album 215 and Tabatabai 134-pp 165

Rarity/Choice: Common, AU

Note: Al-Mahdi was the third Abbasid caliph and ruled during a period of stability and prosperity within the Abbasid Caliphate. This dirham was minted in Al-Basra during the year AH 160, corresponding to 776-777 CE. It represents a significant historical and numismatic artifact from the Abbasid period.