1 Damma - Sa'al ND
| Silver | 0.57 g | 11 mm |
| Issuer | Emirate of Multan (Indian states) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 712-856 |
| Value | Damma (⅙) |
| Currency | Dinar (712-918) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.57 g |
| Diameter | 11 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#386729 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Nagari legend SriJaYan / TaRaJa
Comment
From https://ancient-indian-coins.blogspot.com/2019/01/mysterious-coins-from-multan-before-and.html :
Three dots, stylized Brahmi "Sri" above, Brahmi letters "Ta" and "Pa" in fields, below Lillah Sa'al in arabic / Nagari legend SriJaYan / TaRaJa. 15mmx11mm, 0.57 grams. Unpublished and very rare.
The arabic legend give the name of “Sa'al” - probably the name of the local Ummayad governor of Multan. The Brahmi legend “Sri Jayanta Raja” might either name the local Hindu ruler, or might be the epiphet for the Governor Sa'al, as it translates “Victorious lord King”. The name of “Sa'al” has been variously read.
These coins are derived from the earlier “Sri Parakuta” pre-Islamic Multancoins. These probably have the distinction of being among the very first Islamic coins struck in India. They are often attributed to the Habbarid rulers of Sindh and Multan, but the names on these coins do not correspond to the names of the known Habbarid rulers, and these coins are probably pre-Habbarid.
Schematic of the full inscription are available at the aforementioned site as the design is larger than the coin.
Interesting fact
The 1 Damma coin from the Emirate of Multan was made of silver, which was a rare and valuable metal at the time. This coin was issued during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph, Abd-ar-Rahman II, who ruled from 712 to 856 CE. The coin weighs 0.57 grams and has a diameter of approximately 13 millimeters. Despite its small size, this coin is a significant artifact from the history of the Indian subcontinent and is highly sought after by collectors today.
