Rare and Important Islamic gold coin dating back to the 1st Century of the Hijra for auction in London
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, November 22, 2024


Rare and Important Islamic gold coin dating back to the 1st Century of the Hijra for auction in London
The earliest appearance of the Shahada on a gold coin struck during the caliphate of ‘Abd al-Malik bin Marwan (AH 65-86; CE 685-705)



LONDON.- A very rare coin measuring just 20mm in diameter and weighing 4.27g is coming up for auction with Morton & Eden in London on 12 June 2024. It is expected to reach between £150,000 and £200,000 due to its historical importance and rarity.

During the Umayyad period of Arab expansion across former Byzantine and Persian lands, experiments were put in hand by the caliph ‘Abd al-Malik bin Marwan to establish a national Islamic currency.

In former Byzantine regions where the solidus was well-established as the primary gold coin in commerce, the Arabs started to experiment by initially removing any traces of Christian symbolism from the coinage but at the same time retaining the images of the Byzantine rulers.

The next stage was to eliminate all Latin inscriptions and introduce the Shahada inscribed in kufic script, emphasising the basic tenets of Islam as well as rejecting the Christian belief of the Trinity: Bismillah la illah ila Allah wahdahu Muhammad rasul Allah (In the name of God, there is no god but God. He is unique. Mohammad is the Messenger of God).

One of these extremely rare coins is to be sold at auction by Morton & Eden in London on 12 June 2024. Struck around AH 72-74 (CE 691-694), this example is in remarkably fine condition and is estimated to fetch £150,000-200,000. Ultimately the caliph established a purely epigraphic Islamic coinage in AH 77 (CE 697) and coins like this one were demonetised.

Tom Eden of Morton & Eden commented “It was very exciting to be shown this coin which had in the past been assumed to be a standard Byzantine issue. Careful examination of the edge showed that at some stage it was mounted probably in a jewellery setting and this could be a reason for its survival for coins like this were supposed to be handed in and melted following the introduction of the first purely Islamic dinars in AH 77.

Its historical and religious importance lies in the fact that it is the very first gold coin to bear the words of the Shahada in its legends in order to spread the tenets of Islam. In the last 42 years only 4 other examples have appeared for auction – a sign of its great rarity today”.










Today's News

April 17, 2024

Israeli artist shuts Venice Biennale exhibit, calls for Gaza cease-fire

'St. Luke Painting the Virgin' by Maarten van Heemskerck originally two paintings

Artist exposes the use of power and brutality in a crucial reckoning with European art history and the human condition

Modern Art opens an exhibition of new work by Trevor Shimizu

Tate launches new programme to increase the representation of Indigenous artists in its collection

Rare and Important Islamic gold coin dating back to the 1st Century of the Hijra for auction in London

Faith Ringgold perfectly captured the pitch of America's madness

Aboriginal language names for Art Gallery of New South Wales buildings

'Fashioning Aloha' focuses on Hawaiian clothing styles exported around the globe

The Rolling Stones at Altamont and a young Elvis steal the show at Heritage

James Dean, founding director of NASA Art Program, dies at 92

San Antonio Museum of Art hires Kristopher Driggers as Associate Curator of Latin American Art

Pirelli HangarBicocca presents an exhibition dedicated to one of America's foremost contemporary artists

Lichtensteins achieved $256,455 in Moran's California Living sale

In City Ballet's coming season, new works and earlier curtain times

Maurice El Medioni, Jewish Algerian pianist, dies at 95

BASE Milano presents 'WE WILL DESIGN - the Convivial Laboratory'

Park rangers search for 2 vandals who toppled ancient rocks at Lake Mead

Modernizing ink: Pioneering artist Lui Shou-Kwan on view at Alisan Fine Arts New York

'A Different World' hits the road to help historically Black colleges

Ultra-high denominations come together at Heritage's CSNS Currency Auction

Robert Beerbohm, pioneering comic book retailer and historian, dies at 71

Antoine Godet paints the portrait of Makiko Furuichi

Why Do Singaporeans Love Playing Mobile Casinos

Designing Inclusive Wellness Spaces in the Home

10 Branding Strategies for Artists

The Changing Creative Voice: A Sculptor's Transition to Atmospheric Painting




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful