ACAB-18, Islamic, Abbasid Revolutionary. Abu Muslim (130-136AH), Copper Fals. 3rd Known RRRR

Islamic, Abbasid Revolutionary. Abd al-Rahman bin Muslim (Abu Muslim Khurasani) (130-136AH), Copper Fals.

17.90mm, 2.11gm. Herat mint, 132AH.
Wurtzel -; Album 208 (citing one example in a private collection in Ohio). Some weakness in marginal legends but Good very fine and extremely Rare RRRR. Any Sinsable/Fair offers welcome.

 

Note:

(please read note 110 on page 47).

 

Please also see Morton and Eden Sale 54 Lot 73 here at the-saleroom.

 

Abu Muslim was the most important of several rebel leaders who rose up against the Umayyads in the late 120’s, fomenting a revolution which would eventually overthrow the dynasty and see the Abbasids installed in their place. He also struck silver dirhams (including the coin of Balkh 130h, lot 70 above) but following established practice he did not place his name on them, instead using appropriate verses from the Qur`an to distinguish them from standard Umayyad types. A different precedent applied to copper coins, which were regarded as a local rather than a national coinage and often mentioned an issuing governor. This is probably why Abu Muslim felt able to place his name on this extremely rare copper fals, which complements the dirham coinage by confirming him as the authority behind both issues. Abu Muslim was a Kharijite, and this coin also bears his claim to be the ‘Leader of the Family of Muhammad.’ This is the first time that such an assertion appears on the coinage (see also lot 144 for an `Alid dinar with a comparable legend struck in 316h).