'Abbasid Caliphate. temp. Al-Mansur, AH 136-158 / AD 754-775. Dirham (Silver, 25 mm, 2.59 g, 12 h), Arminiya (Armenia), AH 145 = AD 762/3. Central field, in three lines: lā ilāha illā / Allāh waḥdahū / lā sharīka lahū (‘There is no deity but God alone; He has no associate’ in Arabic). Margin: bi-sm Allāh ḍuriba hādhā al-dirham bi-Arminiya sanat khams wa-arbaʿīn wa-miʾa (‘In the name of God, this dirham was struck at Arminiya in the year one hundred and forty-five’ in Arabic); all within triple circular borders; around, three circles alternating with three groups of two circles, with an additional outer border. Rev. Central field, in three lines: Muḥammad / rasūl / Allāh (‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God’ in Arabic). Margin (Qurʾān 9:33): Muḥammad rasūl Allāh arsalahū bi-l-hudā wa-dīn al-ḥaqq li-yuẓhirahū ʿalā al-dīn kullihī wa-law kariha al-mushrikūn (‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God, whom He sent with guidance and the religion of truth that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, even though the polytheists may dislike it’ in Arabic). Album 213.1. A rare mint. Some deposits, minor marks and a ragged edge, otherwise, very fine.



Arminiya was the Abbasid administrative province covering Armenia and parts of the southern Caucasus. Dirhams of this mint are much less common than the large-output Abbasid silver mints.

The alternating outer border ornaments, with single circles alternating with groups of two circles, give this example added visual and diagnostic interest.