Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Abbasids, al-Mu'tazz billah (AH 251-255 / AD 866-869) AV Dinar. Makka (Mecca) mint, AH 252 = AD 867. First part of kalima in three lines across field; "this dinar was struck in Mecca in the year 2 and 50 and 200" in inner margin; Qur'an XXX, 4-5 in outer margin / Continuation of kalima and "al-Mu'tazz billah, Commander of the Faithful" in five lines across field, Allah above; Qur'an IX, 33 around. Cf. for the type, Album 235.1; Bernardi 162Ef (only 2 ex. reported); SICA 4, -. 4.29g, 21mm, 9h.
Near Very Fine; scratches on the reverse surface. Extremely Rare.
From a private US collection.
The mint in the Holy city of Mecca operated sporadically over the years, few issues were produced and even fewer have survived for us today. This determines the extreme rarity of this piece and its enormous historical importance. There appears to be only one other specimen sold at auction in the last 15 years, cf. Baldwin's auction 19, lot 93 = Baldwin's auction 22, lot 3159 (sold for £60,000) = New York Sale 40, lot 1412.
Near Very Fine; scratches on the reverse surface. Extremely Rare.
From a private US collection.
The mint in the Holy city of Mecca operated sporadically over the years, few issues were produced and even fewer have survived for us today. This determines the extreme rarity of this piece and its enormous historical importance. There appears to be only one other specimen sold at auction in the last 15 years, cf. Baldwin's auction 19, lot 93 = Baldwin's auction 22, lot 3159 (sold for £60,000) = New York Sale 40, lot 1412.