Islamic Coinage — Abbasid Caliphate Ruler: al-Mutawakkil (AH 232–247 / AD 847–861) Type: Silver AR Dirham Mint: Unknown (possibly Baghdad or a provincial mint) Date: AH 232–247 (AD 847–861) Weight: 3.34 g | Diameter: 24 mm Condition: Obverse partially visible; reverse uniface Reference: Standard Abbasid catalogs; Album and Klat listings ________________________________________ Obverse The obverse is partially visible, displaying the name of Caliph al-Mutawakkil clearly. The central inscription asserts the caliph’s authority and Islamic legitimacy. Reverse The reverse is uniface, lacking any inscriptions or decoration. ________________________________________ Uniface coins, while unusual, occur in Abbasid numismatics for several reasons: 1. Minting Error or Die Misalignment: Worn, broken, or improperly aligned dies could fail to leave an impression on the reverse. 2. Emergency or Frontier Minting: In remote locations or during urgent monetary needs, coins were sometimes struck with a single die to expedite production. 3. Test or Pattern Strikes: Uniface coins could also be experimental issues to check die quality, silver content, or strike alignment before full production. This example provides insight into Abbasid minting practices and the practical challenges of producing currency across a large empire, making it significant for both historical and numismatic study. ________________________________________ Al-Mutawakkil, the tenth Abbasid caliph, ruled from AH 232–247 / AD 847–861 and is known for consolidating Abbasid authority, extensive building projects in Baghdad, and promoting Sunni orthodoxy. His reign saw both stability in the heartlands and challenges in the provinces, which sometimes affected coin production. The occurrence of uniface dirhams under his reign illustrates the logistical realities of minting in the Abbasid Empire, including die wear, the demands of frontier mints, and occasional production shortcuts during times of political or military pressure.