Umayyad caliph Al Walid I, who is mentioned on the coin, built Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. AFP
Umayyad caliph Al Walid I, who is mentioned on the coin, built Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. AFP
Umayyad caliph Al Walid I, who is mentioned on the coin, built Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. AFP
Umayyad caliph Al Walid I, who is mentioned on the coin, built Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. AFP

World

UK

Gold coin from Umayyad Caliphate could fetch more than £1m at UK auction

Rare inscribed dinar dates back to 6th century

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

October 19, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

A gold coin from the Umayyad Caliphate could be sold for more than £1 million ($1.1m) when it goes under the hammer in the UK later this month.

The Umayyad Caliphate ruled a large part of what is now the Middle East from 660 to 750.

Although coins from the period are common, the Arabic phrase inscribed on the dinar is said to be rare.

“Ma’din Amir Al Mu’minin”, meaning Commander of the Faithful, is the formal title of the ruler of the Muslim community.

The coin was in use for about three years, said the Classical Numismatic Group (CNG), which is organising the auction.

The CNG says it is the first coin from the years 711-712, corresponding to the 93rd year of the Hijrah, to come up for auction.

Gold coins from 7th century found hidden in wall — in pictures

A coin featuring the image of eastern Roman emperor Phocas. Archaeologists in Israel say 44 pure gold coins dating to the 7th century have been found hidden in a wall at a nature reserve. All photos: Israel Antiquities Authority
A coin featuring the image of eastern Roman emperor Phocas. Archaeologists in Israel say 44 pure gold coins dating to the 7th century have been found hidden in a wall at a nature reserve. All photos: Israel Antiquities Authority
Dr Gabriela Bijovsky, a currency expert at the Israel Antiquities Authority, examines the coins.
Dr Gabriela Bijovsky, a currency expert at the Israel Antiquities Authority, examines the coins.
The hoard sheds light on the end of the Byzantine rule in the area. The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire.
The hoard sheds light on the end of the Byzantine rule in the area. The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire.
The remains of a water fountain, near the place where the coins were found.
The remains of a water fountain, near the place where the coins were found.
The hoard, which weighs about 170 grams, was found at the Banias site.
The hoard, which weighs about 170 grams, was found at the Banias site.
An image of Emperor Heraclius and his son on one of the coins.
An image of Emperor Heraclius and his son on one of the coins.
Some of the coins feature the image of Emperor Phocas but most are from the time of his successor Heraclius.
Some of the coins feature the image of Emperor Phocas but most are from the time of his successor Heraclius.

The coin is predicted to fetch £700,000 but could go for more than £1 million, the group said.

“The small, remarkable Umayyad dinars … are small, beautiful, astonishingly rare historical documents,” said Stephen Lloyd, a specialist in Islamic coins at the CNG.

He added that evidence points to the coins being “only ever struck in small quantities, which is consistent with their great rarity today”.

Hoards of silver coins found in Sharjah — in pictures

Sharjah Archaeology Authority has unearthed an ancient jar filled with hundreds of priceless coins.
Sharjah Archaeology Authority has unearthed an ancient jar filled with hundreds of priceless coins.
The trove dates to the third century BC.
The trove dates to the third century BC.
The designs are a mix of those common to the area and unfamiliar.
The designs are a mix of those common to the area and unfamiliar.
The coins were minted and circulated in Mleiha.
The coins were minted and circulated in Mleiha.

The coin also refers to the sixth Umayyad caliph, Al Walid I.

He conquered north-west Africa, Spain and lower Central Asia and also built Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and the Great Mosque of Damascus.

The coin will be offered at CNG’s Islamic auction in London on October 27.

The specs

Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder

Power: 220 and 280 horsepower

Torque: 350 and 360Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT 

On sale: now

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Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
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Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency
The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

Brief scores:

Day 1

Toss: South Africa, field first

Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48

South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission 10-speed automatic

Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Automatic

Power: 530bhp 

Torque: 750Nm 

Price: Dh535,000

On sale: Now

match info

Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')

Liverpool 0

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 5

Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'

Huddersfield 0

Updated: October 19, 2022, 10:29 PM`
UKAuctions