Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar

1 catalogued issue of Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Yaqub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar (r. 861–879) was a coppersmith who built an army in Sistan, conquered eastern Iran and marched on Baghdad — the founder of the Saffarid dynasty and a symbol of Iranian self-assertion. Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 861 CE – 879 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Sistan / Zaranj.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range861 CE – 879 CE
Eras representedArab-Sasanian & Early Islamic
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDirham
MintsSistan / Zaranj
Rule861–879 CE
OriginCoppersmith in Sistan
Furthest advanceDayr al-Aqul, near Baghdad, 876
Cultural noteAssociated with early New Persian poetry

From workshop to empire

Yaqub's nickname al-Saffar means 'the coppersmith'. He rose through a volunteer militia to control Sistan, Khorasan and Fars, and was only stopped short of Baghdad by defeat at Dayr al-Aqul in 876.

His refusal to accept caliphal legitimation is exceptional: he is reported to have told an Abbasid envoy that his sword had made him what he was.

Coinage and legacy

Saffarid coinage from Sistan and Khorasan tends toward crude strikes on irregular flans; legible mint and date examples are the scarce and desirable ones.

Persian-language court poetry is traditionally dated from Yaqub's court, making the dynasty culturally significant well beyond its short political span.

Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic · 651 – 1258 CE

Era overview →

Saffarid Silver Dirham

Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar

861–879 CE

The 'Coppersmith' rose from a militia leader in Sistan to ruling Iran from Fars to Khorasan — founder of the Saffarid dynasty and a hero of Iranian self-rule against the Abbasids.

Frequently asked about Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar

Who was Yaqub al-Saffar?
A coppersmith from Sistan who built a private army, conquered eastern Iran and founded the Saffarid dynasty, coming close to taking Baghdad in 876.
Why do the Saffarids matter?
They represent the first outright Iranian challenge to Abbasid authority, and their court is traditionally where New Persian literary poetry begins.
What coins did Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar issue?
Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 861 CE – 879 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Sistan / Zaranj.
How many Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 861 CE – 879 CE, spread across 1 era: Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic.
Which metals were used for Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar?
Dirham. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar coins minted?
Recorded mints include Sistan / Zaranj.

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Denominations here

Metals here