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HOME :
Islamic Art :
AS Collection 4 : Umayyad Gold Dinar Minted Under Umar ibn Abdel Aziz
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Umayyad Gold Dinar Minted Under Umar ibn Abdel Aziz - KA.140
Origin: Found in Jericho
Circa: 718
AD
to 719
AD
Dimensions:
0.750" (1.9cm) wide
4.2Grams
Collection: Numismatics
Style: Umayyad Dynasty
Medium: Gold
Condition: Extra Fine
Additional Information: Dated 100 of the Hijrah calendar/ AS
£1,800.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
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The early history of Islam following the death of
the Prophet Muhammad can be characterized by
glorious wars and victories on the one hand and
by jealousy, intrigue, and deceit on the other.
When the Umayyad Dynasty ruled in splendor
from their capital at Damascus, a coin such as
this would have been recognized and traded
throughout their expanding empire. The rulers of
the Umayyad Dynasty, beginning with the
founder, Mu'awiyah, claimed a blood relationship
with the Prophet via his sister, Umm Habibah,
and his Abu-Sufyan, the leader of the Meccan
Quraysh. As the Islam spread across North Africa
and into Europe, political rivalry began to emerge
between the Caliphs. These family feuds would
culminate in 749 A.D. when the entire Umayyad
clan was murdered, save for abd-al- Rahman,
who fled to Spain and founded an independent
Umayyad Caliphate there. In part, this division
between opposing Muslim factions of Shi’ite and
the Sunni continue to this day. Overall, the
period of the Umayyad Dynasty can be
characterized by a love of luxury. Great palaces
were erected in the capital of Damascus. It is
also noted that the Caliphs Yazi I and II were
"passionate friends of sport, music and lady
singers."
How many hands have touched a coin in your
pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the
coin traversed on its journey into our
possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull
out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of
who might have touched the coin before us, or
where the coin will venture to after it leaves our
hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of
the state that struck them, of a specific time and
location, whether active currencies in the age we
live or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This
stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise
of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail
that is often lacking in contemporary machine-
made currencies. This luminous gold dinar is a
historical testament to the birth of the Islam,
simultaneously reflecting the luxury and wealth
of the Umayyad Dynasty passed from the hands
of civilization to civilization, from generation to
generation.
- (KA.140)
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