Description
This is a silver coin minted in northwest India between 800 & 820 AD, under the Abbasid Caliphate. It was minted under the governor, Daud Ibn Yazid Al-Muhallabi, in the region of al-Sind, or the Indus Valley of northwest India. Daud Ibn Yazid governed under 4 successive emperors (caliphs) of the Abbasid Caliphate during what is termed 'The Abbasid Golden Age,' setting a record for the longest living governor that lasted for some time after. He governed over North Africa, then Egypt, & then for another 2 decades in the Indus region! The 9th century under Abbasid rule was a period of flourishing scholarship in early Islamic history that is still particularly remembered for contributions to math, science, & literature. Strong government patronage of the arts & sciences recovered, preserved, & advanced much of classical culture while the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern remnants of Rome, stalled both militarily & intellectually. The term 'dark ages' is no longer widely used in discussion of Western history, but it does effectively evoke moments of stark Byzantine decline in the arts, sciences, & literature, particularly compared to the Classical Era of Rome, to the neighboring Islamic Abbasid Caliphate to the south & east, or to the historically subsequent Renaissance. Thus the Abbasid Golden Age is the historical counterpoint to the Byzantine Dark Age, & this coin was struck & carried by the people to whom the torch of science & scholarship had been passed in that era. The denomination is a silver damma, & its value was probably $5-$10, based on the value of other coins of comparable weight & metal content from the era. This is an original coin, not a reproduction. Certificate of Authenticity Included. I hope you enjoy this piece! - About the Seller: I have been designing & hand crafting silver & gold jewelry for over 25 years, & generally work from my small studio in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I've made thousands of pieces of jewelry in my lifetime, continuing an artisan tradition in wood, fabric, & metal that goes back many generations in my family, to my Irish & Scottish ancestors. My work has appeared in many galleries & several publications over the years. Gems, metalwork, & artistry are passions for me. When not making jewelry, I write educationally about rocks & history, drawing upon a degree in archeology from SMU in Texas & a PhD in Space & Planetary Science from the U. of Arkansas. I also still do occasional scientific work in earth science fields. 1, 200 Year Old Medieval Silver Coin Of The Indus Valley 800-820 Ad - Abbasid Caliphate, Northwest India, Daud Ibn Yazid Al-Muhallabi Islam
