Publication Date
77 / 696- 7
Publication Place
-
British Museum
Subject
gold.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر 1.9 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1874.7-6.1
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus01;1;ar
Library Location
British Museum
Date
77 / 696- 7
Notes
A gold coin, or gold dinar, with three lines of Kufic calligraphy on both sides, surrounded by another band of Arabic calligraphy around the edge. Writing in geometric Kufic script does not mention the name of the Caliph or the party that minted the coin, but rather mentions history and testimony. This piece is of particular importance as it is one of the first issues minted by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik (65-87/685-706) when he reformed the monetary system in 76/696. In the past, coins had pictorial decorations derived mostly from Byzantine models, while in this new Islamic design the image was replaced by writing, which was usually taken from the Holy Qur’an. In addition to the changes in design, a new weight standard was established. The Byzantine weight, which was 4.55 grams, was modified to 4.25 grams, and was known as the mithqal. Coins continued to be minted without any figurative decoration almost without exception until the 7th / 13th century. The ban on figurative decoration is seen in Umayyad religious buildings, such as the mosaics in the Great Mosque of Damascus (87/706), which show images of only buildings and trees.
Sample Text
Emily Shovelton “Coin” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus01;1;ar
