© igorstelli (CC BY-SA)
© igorstelli (CC BY-SA)
Fals - Anonymous Dimashq ND
| Bronze | 1.93 g | 15 mm |
| Issuer | Umayyad Caliphate |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 696-757 |
| Value | 1 Fals (1⁄60) |
| Currency | Dinar (661-750) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 1.93 g |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#371717 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Pentagram (five pointed star) inside a circle, with a legend on the outside around the rim, reading counterclockwise the mint name.
Script: Arabic (kufic)
Lettering: ﺿﺮب هذا ﺍﻟﻔﻠﺲ ﺑﺎدمشق
Translation: Zuriba haza al-fals bi-Dimeshq: "This fals was minted in Damascus"
Edge
Plain, irregular
Comment
This type belongs to a big group of bronze fals of anonymous ruler, where only the mint is stated, and several different pictograms can be seen on both sides. Stephen album reckons them as a general type #174 and relatively common.This coins bear no date, but have been attributed to circa 78 to 130's AH, that is amongst the first bronze coins of the Umayyad monetary reform of 77 AH Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.
Their weight varies between 1.50 and 2.60 gr and diameter from 15 to 18 mm.
Here are several good samples of this same type, from Zeno.ru:
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was issued during the reign of the Umayyad Caliphate, which was the first Islamic caliphate and lasted from 661 to 750 CE. The Umayyad Caliphate was known for its significant cultural and artistic achievements, and this coin is a reflection of that, with its intricate design and craftsmanship.
