An exceptional early Islamic silver dirham issued during the rule of al-Walid I (705–715 CE), a key figure of the powerful Umayyad Caliphate. This coin is dated AH 92 (710–711 AD) and attributed to the rare mint of al-Taymarah, placing it among the more elusive and desirable issues of early Islamic numismatics.
Struck in fine silver, this dirham belongs to the revolutionary coinage system established under Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who transformed Islamic currency by eliminating figural imagery and introducing a purely epigraphic style. The design is composed entirely of Arabic inscriptions rendered in bold Kufic script, reflecting both religious and political authority. The central fields typically carry the Islamic declaration of faith, while the surrounding legends include Qur’anic phrases along with the mint and date formula.
Coins of this type circulated widely across an empire that stretched from the Middle East to North Africa and into parts of Europe and Central Asia. The year AH 92 is historically significant, aligning with a period of expansion and consolidation that helped define the early Islamic world. As such, this dirham is not only a monetary object but also a tangible link to a transformative era in global history.
The present example displays honest circulation wear consistent with its age of over thirteen centuries. Areas of toning and encrustation are visible, particularly along the edges and within parts of the inscriptions, which is typical for coins recovered after long periods in the ground. Despite this, the overall structure and key elements of the legends remain sufficiently clear to confirm attribution.
Dirhams from lesser-known mints such as al-Taymarah are significantly scarcer than those from major centers, adding an extra layer of numismatic interest. Their rarity, combined with their early date and historical context, makes them especially appealing to collectors, researchers, and enthusiasts of Islamic and medieval coinage.
Umayyad: Hisham, 724–743, AR Dirham AH113 al-Andalus (Spain)
Al-Hakam bin ‘Awana al-Kalbi, Umayyad Governor of Sindh under Caliph Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik
