Islamic, Abbasid Revolutionary. Abu Muslim ابو مسلم (AH 127-136/ AD 744-754) Copper Fals. RRR
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GA-1211
Islamic, Abbasid Revolutionary. 'Abdur Rahman bin Muslim famous as Abu Muslim ابو مسلم (AH 127-136/ AD 744-754) Copper Fals.
1.25gm, 15.7mm. Herat (هرات) mint, 132h.
Citing the anti-Umayyad leader as Abu Muslim Amir al Muhammad Abu Muslim "the amir of the people of Muhammad", the mint & date in words in the obverse (بهرات/ سنة اثنين و/ثلثين ومئة) in field.
Zeno-386898 (It's me there). Good very fine, finding patina. Previously unpublished RRRR.
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.