Dirham - 'Abd-al-Rahman III (al-Andalus) 316-336 (929-948) front Dirham - 'Abd-al-Rahman III (al-Andalus) 316-336 (929-948) back
Dirham - 'Abd-al-Rahman III (al-Andalus) 316-336 (929-948) photo
© Sousa Ferreira

Dirham - 'Abd-al-Rahman III al-Andalus

 
Silver (.999) 2.9 g 27 mm
Description
Issuer
Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba (Córdoba, Al-Andalus and Ceuta)
Caliph
Abd al-Rahman III (عبد الرحمن بن محمّد الناصر لدين ألله) (912-961)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
316-336 (929-948)
Calendar
Islamic (Hijri)
Value
1 Dirham (1⁄15)
Currency
Dinar (929-1031)
Composition
Silver (.999)
Weight
2.9 g
Diameter
27 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#70521
Rarity index
79%

Reverse

Script: Arabic

Lettering:
الامام
الناصر لدين
امير المؤمنين
قاسم

بسم الله ضرب هذا الدرهم بالاندلس سنة ثلثين
و ثلث مئة
محمد رسول الله ارسله بالهدى و دين
الحق ليظهره على الدين كله ولو كره
المشركون

Translation:
The Imam
al-Nasir Li-Din
Allah Abd al-Rahman
Commander of the Faithful
Qasim

Muhammad is the messenger of God. He sent him with guidance and the true religion to reveal it to all religions even if the polytheists abhor it.

Comment

The legends vary a bit even in specimen of the same year. To check exactly the variety use the Vives y Escudero catalogue.

The name of the monarch is written on the reverse, usually on the left of the second line.
Below is an example of the monarch's name "Abd al-Rahman" on a coin:


The mint and date is written in full, on the marginal legend of the obverse. The script is somewhat calligraphic so not exactly like is presented on the dates in the bottom of this page. Below an example of the mint "al-Andalus" as seen on a coin is presented:

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it was issued during the reign of Abd-al-Rahman III, who was the first Umayyad Caliph to adopt the title of "Amir al-Mu'minin" (Commander of the Faithful), signifying his claim to be the supreme leader of the Islamic world. This coin, made of silver and weighing 2.9 grams, was used as a standard circulation coin during his reign, which lasted from 929 to 948 CE.