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Dinar

dated 79 AH/698–99 CE
Not on view
The first Muslim rulers relied on older Byzantine and Sasanian mints to keep a constant supply of coinage in the newly converted lands. Modifications to older types occurred gradually over the first century of Islam. Crosses on Byzantine-style gold coins, for example, were the first visual elements to disappear. ‘Abd al-Malik’s gold reform in 696–97 resulted in totally new coin styles without figural imagery of any kind. Instead, coins like this one made during his reign feature the shahada (profession of the faith) in stately kufic script: “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Dinar
  • Date: dated 79 AH/698–99 CE
  • Geography: Made in Syria
  • Medium: Gold
  • Dimensions: Diam. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm)
  • Classification: Coins
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Joseph H. Durkee, 1898
  • Object Number: 99.35.2386
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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