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1 Shahi - Tahmasp I Qazwin, Second Western standard
| Issuer | Safavid Dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 1532 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Hammered |
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| Obverse description | Central field occupied by the Shi'a profession of faith rendered in bold nastaliq calligraphy across three lines: the shahada 'La ilaha illa Allah' (There is no god but God), followed by 'Muhammad rasul Allah' (Muhammad is the Messenger of God), and 'Ali wali Allah' (Ali is the Friend of God). The inscription fills the flan with characteristic Safavid fluency, the strokes overlapping in dynamic interlaced composition. The irregular flan edges are typical of the hammered technique employed throughout the Safavid coinage of this period. No border or decorative frame is present, the calligraphic legend commanding the entire obverse field. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله علي ولي الله |
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| Additional information |
Tahmasp I relocated the Safavid capital from Tabriz to Qazwin in 1555, but this piece predates that move — struck under the earlier western minting standard while Tabriz remained the political center and the Ottomans were actively raiding into Azerbaijan. The "Second Western standard" designation reflects a documented recoinage adjustment made as Tahmasp attempted to stabilize silver output amid chronic Ottoman military pressure on the northwest frontier.
Album 2596 encompasses considerable variety in die workmanship across provincial mints of this reign. Qazwin issues from the early 1530s are among the more carefully executed.