Baldwin & Sons
Islamic Coin Auction 25 10 December 2013
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† ISLAMIC COINS. SA'DIAN SHARIFS OF MOROCCO. Abu'l-Mahalli (usurper, 1021-1022h), known on his coinage as Abu'l-'Abbas Ahmad al-Mahdi, Gold Dinar, Marrakush 1021h, 4.56g (Album K573). Weakly struck in parts, otherwise about extremely fine and very rare.
"Abu Mahalli" claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad's uncle al-'Abbas. He devoted his life to Allah, named himself the Mahdi (Messiah) and waged holy war to end the rule of the Sa'adian Sharifs. Abu Mahalli led his followers to confront the Sa'adian ruler, who put up no resistance. He took on all the trappings of royalty, won great popularity and took advantage of the available gold to strike beautiful coins with elegant Maghribi ornamentation in his own name. However, having assured his followers of his divine power, he was killed in battle by a single shot, and Marrakesh returned to Sa'adian rule.
Estimate: £2500-3000
"Abu Mahalli" claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad's uncle al-'Abbas. He devoted his life to Allah, named himself the Mahdi (Messiah) and waged holy war to end the rule of the Sa'adian Sharifs. Abu Mahalli led his followers to confront the Sa'adian ruler, who put up no resistance. He took on all the trappings of royalty, won great popularity and took advantage of the available gold to strike beautiful coins with elegant Maghribi ornamentation in his own name. However, having assured his followers of his divine power, he was killed in battle by a single shot, and Marrakesh returned to Sa'adian rule.
Estimate: £2500-3000