Summary

Dinar coin issued by the Umayyad Caliph Hisham (723-743 AD). Struck at the Damascus mint (probable) in the year 110 AH (728-729 AD). The coinage reform which led to the issue of this coin began in 77 AH (696-697 AD) under the Umayyad Caliph 'Abd al-Malik. It removed all symbolism associated with Byzantine or Sassanian rule. Instead a purely inscriptional coin-type, giving in Arabic (script and language) the Muslim confession of faith, and various Qur'anic verses were employed. On gold coins the date is of production is provided but not the name of the mint, it is believed that Damascus was the sole gold mint.

Physical Description

On both sides, Kufic script in centre with more script around edge.

Obverse Description

At centre Arabic legend (Kufic script) in three lines (Translation: There is no deity except God alone, He has no equal); around Arabic legend (Translation: Muhammad is the prophet of God sent with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion, averse although idolaters may be)

Reverse Description

At centre Arabic legend (Kufic script) in three lines (Translation: God is alone, God is eternal, He begets not and is not begotten); around Arabic legend (Translation: In the Name of Allah this dinar was struck in the year ten and one hundred)

Edge Description

Plain

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Numismatics & Philately

  • Acquisition Information

    Purchase from Noble Numismatics, 05 Jul 1996

  • Date Issued

    110 AH

  • Issued By

    Hisham, Ummayyad Caliphate

  • Mint

    Damascus (Mint)

  • Inscriptions

    Obverse: Kufic script at centre (Translation: There is no deity except God alone, He has no equal) and around (Translation: Muhammad is the prophet of God sent with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion, averse although idolaters may be) Reverse: Kufic script at centre (Translation: God is alone, God is eternal, He begets not and is not begotten) and around (Translation: In the Name of Allah this dinar was struck in the year ten and one hundred)

  • Denomination

    Dinar

  • Material

    Gold

  • Axis

    08

  • Classification

    Coins, Umayyad caliphate, Working strikes

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Numismatics

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Object Dimensions

    1 mm (Height), 19 mm (Outside Diameter), 4.232 (Weight)

  • Shape

    Round

  • References

    cf BMC 32 Source of translation for Kufic script: Codrington p.23
    [Book] Poole, Stanley L. 1875. Catalogue of Oriental Coins in the British Museum. I., 6 Pages

  • Keywords

    Arabic Language