Abbasid Silver Dirham

Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid caliph from 786 to 809 AD, ruled during a golden era in Baghdad. Harun’s silver dirhams circulated widely, from Spain to India, becoming a key part of global trade and a lasting legacy of the Abbasid golden age.

So, next time you find yourself holding a coin, just imagine the legacy of Harun al-Rashid, whose silver dirhams once sparkled in the hands of merchants, scholars, and poets in the vibrant streets of 8th-century Baghdad.

A fun fact about Harun al-Rashid is that he was a character in the famous One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights). In these stories, he is often portrayed as a wise and just ruler, but sometimes he disguises himself and roams the streets of Baghdad at night to see how his people live—highlighting his deep concern for his subjects. This legendary aspect of his personality made him one of the most memorable figures in Middle Eastern folklore!