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House of Emirates® is thrilled to offer its elite clientele this extraordinary and historically significant Hamdanid silver dirham, a remarkable survivor from the golden age of the Islamic world.
Struck in Antakya (Antioch) in 340 AH (951–952 AD) during the celebrated reign of Sayf al-Dawla Al-Hamadani (942–967 AD), this exceptional coin represents one of the most influential dynasties of medieval Islamic history. Issued under the authority of Sayf al-Dawla Abu al-Hasan and bearing the name of his brother Nasir al-Dawla Abu Muhammad, together with the Abbasid Caliph al-Muttaqi li-llah, this silver dirham embodies the political alliances, military achievements, and religious devotion that shaped the Near East during the 10th century. Every inscription engraved upon its surface tells a story of sovereignty, faith, and legitimacy, transforming this magnificent coin into far more than currency—it is a preserved chapter of Islamic civilization.
Obv : لا اله الا الله / وحده لا شريك له / أبو منصور بن / أمير المؤمنين / سيف الدولة / أبو الحسن
(There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner / Abu Mansur ibn / Commander of the Faithful / Sayf al-Dawla / Abu al-Hasan)
بسم الله ضرب هذا الدرهم بأنطاكية سنة أربعين وثلثمائة
(In the name of Allah, this dirham was struck in Antakya in the year 340 AH)
Rev : محمد رسول الله / صلى الله عليه / المتقي لله / ناصر الدولة / أبو محمد
(Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him / al-Muttaqi li-llah / Nasir al-Dawla / Abu Muhammad)
Measuring 25 mm in diameter and weighing 2.7 grams, this elegant silver dirham has survived for over one thousand years in Good Very Fine condition, preserving remarkable detail despite the passage of centuries. Its broad flan, bold Kufic calligraphy, and attractive silver surfaces make it an outstanding example of early medieval Islamic numismatics and an increasingly scarce issue from the famous mint of Antakya.
The Hamdanids were renowned as great patrons of scholarship, literature, science, and military strength. Under Sayf al-Dawla, Aleppo became one of the most brilliant intellectual centres of the Islamic world, attracting legendary poets such as Al-Mutanabbi and philosophers including Al-Farabi. This dirham was struck during that flourishing cultural renaissance, when the Hamdanid court stood as a symbol of Islamic power and refinement. Today, authentic Hamdanid silver coins from Antakya remain highly sought after by museums, advanced collectors, historians, and investors who appreciate assets of exceptional rarity and historical significance.
Owning this majestic silver dirham is an opportunity to preserve a tangible piece of one of Islam’s most celebrated dynasties—a timeless treasure that combines artistic beauty, historical prestige, and enduring investment appeal, destined to be admired for generations to come.
