Islamic coins represent a valuable and multifaceted source of historical evidence for scholars of the early Islamic period. Spanning from just a few years after the pivotal Battle of Yarmouk in 636 to the conclusion of the Umayyad caliphate in 750, these coins, minted in gold, silver, and copper, exist in significant quantities, providing insights into various aspects of monetary and administrative practices.
In the context of the seventh century, Islamic coins offer a nuanced understanding of governance at different levels, ranging from the perspective of the caliphal authority down to regional and city governors, and even extending to unofficial mints. This numismatic evidence, while sometimes limited in its scope, possesses unique qualities as a historical documentation source.
The attribution of precious metal coins, both geographically and chronologically, enables scholars to construct a coherent narrative of historical events and economic trends. By studying these coins in sequence, researchers can discern the decision-making processes of their designers, revealing both their triumphs and failures. Moreover, the continuity and evolution of coin designs over time provide valuable insights into the political, economic, and cultural dynamics of the era.
While copper coins may present challenges in terms of attribution to specific times and places, they offer a dense record of patterns and styles. Despite their limitations, copper coins contribute significantly to our understanding of trade networks, urban economies, and societal developments during the early Islamic period.
Islamic coins serve as invaluable historical artifacts, shedding light on governance structures, economic systems, and cultural exchanges in the formative years of Islam. Their study continues to enrich our understanding of this crucial period in history, offering valuable insights into the complexities of early Islamic societies.
Phase 1: Conservative Phase (Conquest to early 690s)
- Minimal alteration to pre-existing monetary networks in both Mediterranean coastlands and former Sasanian territories.
- In Syria, local copper production similar to Persian occupation model, while Constantinople mint coins circulated.
- In the east, Iraqi and Iranian silver mints reopened in the 650s, producing replicas of Sasanian silver coins.
Transition: Fitna or Second Civil War (690s)
- Rebellion by ʿAbd Allah ibn al‐Zubayr against Sufyanids, leading to distinctive ideological profiles.
- Propagandistic use of coinage and inscriptions by Ibn al‐Zubayr's supporters galvanized both parties.
Phase 2: Adaptive Phase (691–699)
- Caliph ʿAbd al‐Malik's reforms post-691 aimed at embedding and extending innovations.
- Damascus mint serves as a monetary laboratory for experimentation with new coinage forms.
- High velocity of change observed, with new forms tried and discarded annually.
Phase 3: Epigraphic Phase
- Coinage abandons figured representations in favor of Arabic inscriptions exclusively.
- Arabic inscription-only coins become the standard template for precious metal coinage until the thirteenth century Mongol conquests.
Simplicity and Accessibility: Coins are abundant and relatively easy to interpret, making them a favored source for historians despite their analytical complexity.
Evolutionary Trajectory: The design of early Islamic coins follows a clear path of development: from conservative and imitative to transformative and finally to innovative and aniconic.
Significant Shift: The introduction of imageless coins marks a pivotal moment, often linked with ʿAbd al‐Malik’s reform agenda and reflecting a profound change in ruling elite ideology.
Scholarly Narrative: Traditional scholarship presents a straightforward narrative: beginning with replication of late antique styles, followed by a period of experimentation, and concluding with a decisive rejection of previous practices.
Investigating Sustainability: This essay aims to explore the validity of this narrative against the backdrop of Umayyad identity formation as discussed earlier.
The Conservative Phase (650–691)
Coinage Groups:
The coinage of the early Islamic period serves as a tangible artifact of the complex interactions between religious, political, and economic forces shaping the emerging Islamic state. By examining the evolution of coinage during this period, we can gain a deeper understanding of the diverse influences and motivations driving the formation of Islamic identity and governance.
- The coinage of the early Islamic period is divided into three groups: coppers of Greater Syria, Arab-Sasanian silver, and subsequent inscriptional coins.
- Syrian coppers, despite diverse designs, retained Byzantine prototypes and Christian symbolism, reflecting local economic exchange rather than caliphal authority.
- Muslim elites likely approved the circulation of Byzantine-style coppers as local token coinage.
- Arab-Sasanian silver, retaining Sasanian imagery, served as gubernatorial coinage in Iran and Iraq without direct ties to the caliphal office.
- Inscriptions in Arabic, such as "bismillah," on Arab-Sasanian drachms foreshadowed the later epigraphic phase of Islamic coinage.
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