© Cycnos (CC BY-NC)
© Cycnos (CC BY-NC)
Fals - Anonymous Balikh ND
| Copper | 3.35 g | 19.5 mm |
| Issuer | Umayyad Caliphate |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 696-750 |
| Value | 1 Fals (1⁄60) |
| Currency | Dinar (661-750) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 3.35 g |
| Diameter | 19.5 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#151651 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Inside a circle, the continuation of the kalima on three lines; around the rings.
Lettering:
محمد
رسول
الله
Translation:
Mohammed
rasul
Allah:
"Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."
Comment
Where this fals was minted is still a matter of debate.Initially attributed by Walker to the Khorasan city of Balkh in present-day Afghanistan, this hypothesis was later challenged by Stephen Album, who wisely pointed out that these coins are found much further west in the Levant. He then attributed it to a locality on the banks of the Balikh River in Syria.
Nevertheless, this type of coin seems more likely to be found in Galilee, which would tend to discredit this thesis.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was issued during the reign of Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (685-705 CE), who was the first Umayyad caliph to introduce a new standardized coinage system, which replaced the diverse and often worn-out coins that were previously used. This new system featured coins with a uniform design and weight, and it helped to establish a stable and reliable currency system throughout the Umayyad Empire.
