Publication Date
537 AH / 1142 AD
Publication Place
-
National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts
Subject
Minted gold.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر: 2.6 سم؛ الوزن: 4 غ
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
II.N.268
Record ID
object;ISL;dz;Mus01;28;ar
Library Location
National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts
Date
537 AH / 1142 AD
Notes
This circular coin bears an inscription in Kufic letters on its face and back, which can be read as follows: Obverse: On the circumference: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.” (The Qur’an, Surah Al Imran, 3, 85). In the center: The text contains five lines: “There is no god but God / Muhammad is the Messenger of God / The prince of the Muslims, Ali bin / Yusuf, his crown prince / The two princes.” On the back side: On the circumference: “In the name of God, this dinar was struck with a hammer in the year five hundred and thirty-seven.” In the centre: The text consists of four lines as follows: “The Imam / Abdul / God /Commander of the Faithful.” This piece was struck during the reign of Ali bin Yusuf (500 - 537 AH / 1106 - 1143 AD) in Almería, Spain. The presence of mints outside the capital, Marrakesh, as is the case in Granada, Seville, Valencia, and Tlemcen, proves the power, extension, and wealth of the Almoravid state. Gold coins during the reign of Ali ibn Yusuf are generally distinguished by their purity, which ranges between 76 and 96%, and the appearance of the title of Emir of the Muslims on them. We note that in the year 495 AH / 1101 AD, Yusuf ibn Tashfin declared the guardianship of his son, Ali, Al-Ahed.
Sample Text
Ali Benbella “Coin (Dinar)” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;dz;Mus01;28;ar
