India – Multan Region – Mihiradeva Muhammad (c. AD 900)
Bilingual Silver Damma
Ex. Robert Tye Collection
A rare and historically intriguing silver Damma from the medieval-era coinage of Multan, issued around c. AD 900 during the period of transition between regional Hindu and Islamic powers in northwestern India. This coin represents the multicultural environment of the Indus region, where diverse political and religious traditions interacted through trade and commerce.
This bilingual type is especially significant for its use of two scripts, reflecting the coexistence of different linguistic and cultural communities in the region. Such issues provide important evidence of the continued use of local monetary traditions alongside the growing influence of Islamic coinage in the early medieval period.
The small silver Damma denomination was suited for regional circulation and everyday transactions. Despite its modest size, this coin carries considerable historical importance as a witness to the economic and cultural exchanges that took place in the Multan area, a major commercial center connecting India with Central Asia and the Islamic world.
This example comes ex. Robert Tye Collection, adding desirable provenance from the respected collector and researcher known for his extensive work with Asian coinage.
Region: Multan, India (modern Pakistan)
Ruler/Authority: Mihiradeva Muhammad
Date: c. AD 900
Denomination: Silver Damma
Type: Bilingual Issue
Metal: Silver
Provenance: Ex. Robert Tye Collection
A rare and historically important early medieval Indian silver coin, highlighting the cultural crossroads of Multan and the evolving monetary traditions of the northwestern Indian subcontinent.
