I posted this not long after I joined, but most who were around then have probably forgotten it, and we have many new members since then, so please enjoy a truly remarkable numismatic specimen. Sultanate of Uqbar. Invisible dirham. Sultan Kadhbat 'Abril (c. 1170- 1140 AD). Obverse: Bust of sultan facing, one eye closed, tongue out. Reverse: Entire text of Shah-Nameh. 31.437316482 mm, 3.14159 g. Apgar score: 8. Moh hardness: 7. Erdos number: 2. Bechdel test: fails. Degrees of Kevin Bacon: 5. The history of Uqbar is too well-known to require explanation here. However, these invisible dirhams are worthy of note. They were issued by the notorious Mad Sultan, Kadhbat 'Abril, who wanted to make it easy for the wealthy to hide their coins in plain sight. However, the coins proved unpopular when both merchants and customers found it impossible to tell when they had been short-changed. There are several contemporaneous references to these coins in the writings of Abdul Al-Hazred, but little use has been made of this resource due to the inaccessibility of his works. An article on the series by Dr. Avril Poisson is due to be published in the next issue of Numismatic HindQuarterly. Please share your April 1 coins.
Ah. Good old Uqbar. Never had any fiscal problems, did he. My new collecting area lately has been digital €. I can’t find a proper album for them, but I seem to have a penchant for those that come in red ink.
I have one of those - but I forget which tray I put it in. This is one of those coins that I should really get slabbed. Although it is a bit out of date, published in 1881, Barclay Vincent Head's "A Guide to the Principle Gold and Silver Coins of the Sultanate of Uqbar" is still the best reference, the full text of which was published on the internet here.
The numismatic significance of this type is transparent. I particularly like the clear devices on your specimen.
I would recommend getting it slabbed. This would make sure it has a safe environment and could also increase the value if you intend to sell it. Your picture is well focused but I when I started photographing coins myself I was advised to use a white background. I tend to agree - it will highlight the coin better. Here is my example and the proof that a white background enhances the coin visual appeal (not the same condition but I wanted the type)
I think there is some glare on the OP's pictures. Please try reducing the light intensity or rotate the specimen slightly.
