Dinar

Art Historical Context

This exquisite gold dinar, minted in A.H. 79 (698–99 CE), represents of the earliest standardized coins of the Umayyad Caliphate, a pivotal in Islamic history. Measuring just 2.1 cm in diameter its petite size belies its immense value as a medium of exchange across the vast Muslim world, from the Middle East to North Africa and beyond. Crafted from pure gold—a material symbolizing wealth and stability—this coin reflects the caliphate's economic reforms under rulers like Abd al-Malik, who sought to unify currency and assert Islamic identity. What stands out in its artistry is the elegant Arabi...