ISLAMIC, 'Abbasid Caliphate. al-Mutadid (AH 279–289 / AD 892–902) Dirham (Silver, 23 mm, 2.89 g) Madinat al-Salam (Baghdad), AH 284 = AD 897/8 Obverse: Central Inscription (in Arabic): لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ Translation: "There is no deity but Allah, the One, there is no partner to Him." Inner Marginal Inscription (in Arabic): بِسْمِ اللَّهِ ضُرِبَ هَذَا الدِّرْهَمُ بِمَدِينَةِ السَّلَامِ سَنَةَ أَرْبَعٍ وَثَمَانِينَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ Translation: "In the name of Allah. This dirham was struck in Madinat al-Salam in the year 284." Outer Marginal Inscription (in Arabic, Qurʾān 30:4-5): لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ اللَّهِ Translation: "To Allah belongs the command before and after, and on that day the believers will rejoice with the help of Allah." Reverse: Central Inscription (in Arabic): لِلَّهِ مُحَمَّد رَسُول اللَّه الْمُعْتَضِدُ بِاللَّهِ Translation: "To Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Al-Muʿtadid billah." Marginal Inscription (in Arabic): مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَرْسَلَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَىٰ الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ Translation: "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. He sent him with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He may make it overcome all religions, even though the unbelievers may dislike it." References: Album 242. Condition: Areas of weakness yet retaining much of its original detail. Overall, very fine. Historical Context: This dirham, minted in Madinat al-Salam (modern-day Baghdad), is an example of the Abbasid Caliphate's Islamic numismatic tradition during the reign of al-Muʿtadid, who ruled at the height of Abbasid power. The inscriptions reflect the Islamic emphasis on monotheism, the prophetic mission of Muhammad, and the caliph's role as the defender of the faith. The Quranic verse on the obverse margin underscores the divine sovereignty and eventual triumph of Islam, while the reverse names the caliph, aligning him as a steward under divine authority. Diameter: 23 mm Weight: 2.89 grams