Reformed Coinage

A 7th-century Coin

This coin was minted under ‘Abd al-Malik in 696-7, based on Arab-Byzantine coins. It shows the caliph in the center with the Arabic inscription around the margins: “In the name of God, there is no god except God alone, Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

This coin was also minted in Syria by ‘Abd al-Malik, but it is a copper coin (which defaces easier because it’s softer). It shows “there is no god except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God” in Arabic around the margin, with the bottom part smudged off (maybe it said “alone” after God?). The mint name (Tanukh) and the word “waf” (which means “full measure”) appear next to the pole. The inscription around the caliph is also difficult to read: “In the name of God, ‘Abd al-Malik, Commander of the [Faithful]”

This coin is another version of the “standing caliph.” Around the caliph is the Arabic inscription “Commander of the Faithful” and “the caliph of God.” On the other side, the margin reads: “In the name of God, there is no god except God alone, Muhammad is the messenger of God.” The center reads “it was struck in the year five and seventy.”

A 7th-century Aniconic Coin

This coin was minted at the end of the 7th century, probably in Damascus.
Obverse: “There is no god except God alone, He has no associate” in the field; “Muhammad is the messenger of God who sent him with guidance and the religion of truth that he might make it supreme over all other religions” (Q9:33) along margin.
Reverse: “God is one, God is eternal, He does not beget nor is he begotten” (Q112:1-3) in the field; “in the name of God this dinar was struck in the year eight and seventy” along margin.