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Coinage of Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi

1 catalogued issue of Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Coins issued under al-Mahdi (775–785 CE) include the Tabaristan hemidrachms — Sasanian-style silver still being struck in northern Iran more than a century after the Sasanian empire fell. Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 158 CE – 785 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Tabaristan.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
2

Key facts

Key facts about Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range158 CE – 785 CE
Eras representedArab-Sasanian & Early Islamic
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm, Abbasi
MintsTabaristan
Caliphal-Mahdi, 775–785 CE
CoinTabaristan hemidrachm, ≈2 g
EraTabaristan era from 651 CE
DesignSasanian style with added Arabic

Tabaristan's long survival

The Caspian province of Tabaristan, protected by the Alborz mountains, retained local Ispahbadh rulers and their Sasanian-derived coinage long after the rest of Iran had converted to Islamic epigraphic money.

Under Abbasid governors the hemidrachms continued, dated by the Tabaristan era beginning in 651 CE, with Arabic added to a Pahlavi design.

Practical dating

Add 651 to the Tabaristan era date to get an approximate CE year. These small silver pieces, around 2 g, are among the most common early Islamic coins of Iran.

They are cheap, plentiful and instantly recognisable, which makes them one of the best teaching coins for anyone learning to read Pahlavi numerals.

Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic · 651 – 1258 CE

Era overview →

Tabaristan Hemidrachm (Abbasid Era)

Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi

AH 158–169 / 775–785 CE

Long after the Arab conquest the Caspian province of Tabaristan retained semi-autonomous local dynasties (Dabuyids, then Abbasid governors) who continued striking Sasanian-style half-drachms with Pahlavi script — among the latest survivals of pre-Islamic Iranian coinage, well into the late 8th century.

Frequently asked about Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi

How do I date a Tabaristan coin?
Read the Tabaristan-era date and add 651 to convert it approximately to the Common Era.
Why did Tabaristan keep Sasanian designs?
The Caspian province retained local rulers behind the Alborz mountains and kept its inherited coinage long after the rest of Iran adopted Islamic epigraphic money.
What coins did Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi issue?
Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 158 CE – 785 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Tabaristan.
How many Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 158 CE – 785 CE, spread across 1 era: Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic.
Which metals were used for Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi?
Drachm, Abbasi. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Issued under Caliph al-Mahdi coins minted?
Recorded mints include Tabaristan.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here