Lot 18

Ghaznavids, Mahmud (reign 389-421 AH / 999-1030 CE), Silver Damma, 0.47 gms, 8.57 mm, No Mint, ND, Obverse: Shahadah followed by the word ‘Haqqan’ (transl. truly / verily), Reverse: Yamin al-dawlah wa Amin al-millah Mahmud bin Nasir Al-Din, These dammas were probably issued immediately after Mamud’s first military campaign against Fatimid rulers of Multan in 396 AH (1005-06 CE), The Arabic word “haqqan” translates roughly to truly / actually and can be interpreted as asserting that the (Sunni version of the) Shahadah written on the Ghaznavid issues is the actual Shahadah, as opposed to the Shiite version that had been inscribed on the Fatimid coins, The special word “haqqan” was included only on these early Ghaznavid issues from Multan; no other known contemporary Ghaznavid issue carries this phrase, Album # 4593, Fishman & Todd # FG4, choice fine to very fine, rare.