Abbasid Caliphate – Harun al-Rashid (170–193 AH / 786–809 AD) Dirham struck in Madinat Balkh, 185 AH (801/802 AD) Exceptional silver dirham issued under the legendary Caliph Harun al-Rashid during the height of the Islamic Golden Age. Struck in Madinat Balkh, in the historic region of Khorasan (modern-day Afghanistan), one of the most important provinces of the Abbasid Caliphate. Khorasan played a decisive role in the rise of the Abbasids and remained a key political and economic centre of the Islamic world. What makes this coin truly special is its condition. For an early Abbasid dirham struck over 1,200 years ago, the preservation is outstanding. The inscriptions are remarkably clear, the strike is strong, and the overall appearance is far above what is normally encountered for coins from this region and period. High-grade examples from Balkh are scarce, making this a particularly attractive piece for collectors. Balkh was a major Silk Road city, and dirhams from this region travelled across vast trade networks — some have even been found in Viking hoards in Northern Europe. Weight: 2,86g Metal: Silver Condition: Please see images for correct impression. A rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully preserved dirham from one of the most important regions of the Abbasid world.