Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Abd al-Malik I (Samanid)

1 catalogued issue of Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Abd al-Malik I (954–961) ruled the Samanid state at its height from Bukhara, when Samanid silver dirhams were the international currency of northern Eurasia. Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 955 CE – 956 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold at Nishapur.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range955 CE – 956 CE
Eras representedArab-Sasanian & Early Islamic
MetalsGold
DenominationsDinar
MintsNishapur
Reign954–961 CE
CapitalBukhara
Principal coinSilver dirham, ≈2.9–3.0 g
Trade reachVolga route to the Baltic

The Samanid silver economy

Samanid mints at Bukhara, Samarqand, Nishapur and Shash struck dirhams in enormous volume, funded by Central Asian silver mines and the northern trade in furs and slaves.

These coins are found by the tens of thousands in Russian, Baltic and Scandinavian hoards, often cut as hack-silver — Iranian coinage underwriting the Viking-age economy.

A Persian renaissance

The Samanid court patronised Rudaki and the environment in which Ferdowsi began the Shahnameh, and Bukhara's library formed Ibn Sina. Administration in Arabic coexisted with a deliberate revival of Persian as a literary language.

Samanid gold dinars, including issues of Abd al-Malik I from Nishapur, are much scarcer than the silver and are the prize items of the series.

Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic · 651 – 1258 CE

Era overview →

Samanid Gold Dinar (Nishapur)

Abd al-Malik I (Samanid)

955–956 CE

Samanid silver dirhams flooded Viking-age trade; vast hoards found from Russia to Sweden.

Frequently asked about Abd al-Malik I (Samanid)

Why are Samanid dirhams important?
They were the international silver currency of tenth-century northern Eurasia, reaching Scandinavia in vast quantities through the Volga fur and slave trade.
Is Samanid gold available?
Much less so than the silver. Dinars from Nishapur and other mints are scarce and command significant premiums.
What coins did Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) issue?
Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 955 CE – 956 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold at Nishapur.
How many Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 955 CE – 956 CE, spread across 1 era: Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic.
Which metals were used for Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) coinage?
Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Abd al-Malik I (Samanid)?
Dinar. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Abd al-Malik I (Samanid) coins minted?
Recorded mints include Nishapur.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here