Publication Date
646 - 665 AH / 1248 - 1266 AD
Publication Place
-
Money Museum of the Bank of Morocco; Rabat
Subject
Cast and minted gold. — Marrakesh.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر: 65 مم؛ الوزن: 49.4 غرام؛ السماكة: 1.5 مم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1467
Record ID
object;ISL;ma;Mus01_F;8;ar
Library Location
Money Museum of the Bank of Morocco; Rabat
Date
646 - 665 AH / 1248 - 1266 AD
Notes
This rare Almohad mint medal, valued at six gold dinars, includes the basic features of the coins of this ruling dynasty. In fact, since the capture of Marrakesh in 1146 AD, Abd al-Mumin has been busy minting a coin different from that of his predecessors; He introduced a square shape to it, and also codified the texts of the phrases, their locations, and the style of writing them. Thus, we can read in the square of the face of this piece, after the basmala and peace be upon the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his companions, the oneness of God and the prophetic message of Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. Parts of the piece contain the name of the ruling prince who issued this coin, then the name of his father. Within the square of the reverse of the piece, the imamate of the Mahdi (the Messenger) is announced, followed by the name of Abd al-Mu'min ibn Ali, Caliph, Commander of the Faithful, and first Almohad sultan. In the juz’, he wrote the name of the origins of the king’s sponsor of this edition along with their title: Caliph, Commander of the Faithful, Abu Hafs al-Murtada (1248-1266), son of Ibrahim, grandson of Abu Ya’qub, son of Abd al-Mu’min’s great-grandson. As is usual for this type of coin, the date is not indicated. According to the new system, the texts were written in cursive script, characterized by clarity and simplicity of drawing, which are distinctive features of Almohad art. The letters within the squares were decorated with small rings, and the letters within the parts were decorated with decorations in the form of rosettes, balls, and smooth palmettes, making this coin a beautiful, elegantly printed piece. Therefore, it is not surprising that a strap is attached to it to turn it into an ornament. These gold coins, called "Masmudia", were highly prized among the Catholic countries in Spain because of their weight and the purity of their gold, and they remained in use for the purpose of exchange even after the fall of Almohad rule.
Sample Text
Naima El Khatib-Boujibar “Ten dinar coin” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;ma;Mus01_F;8;ar
