Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Ancient Coin Review 92 : Antique Silver Dirham Caliph Hisham Bin Abdul Malik of Ummayad Caliphate( 724-743 CE)

This is a coin from the reign of Ummayad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abd Al Malik. Looking at the Ummayad ruler list, Hisham reigned from 105-125 AH ( 724-743 CE).
From the legends ( scroll down to see the details), this coin was struck in Wasit in the year 124AH. Wasit is a city located East of Iraq. The Governor at that time was Yusuf Bin Amr Al Thaqafi. This is the Governor who killed Zayd Bin Ali ( Great Grandson of Ali Bin Abi Talib).

Below is an excerpt from Wiki about this Caliph :
Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691 – 6 February 743) (Arabic: هشام بن عبد الملك‎) 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691 his mother named him after her father.
Inheriting the caliphate from his brother Yazid II, Hisham was ruling an empire with many different problems. He would, however, be effective in attending to these problems, and in allowing the Umayyad empire to continue as an entity. His long rule was an effective one, and it saw a rebirth of reforms that were originated by Umar bin Abd al-Aziz.
Hisham also faced a revolt by the armies of Zayd bin Ali, grandson of Husayn bin Ali, which was put down because of the betrayal of the Kufans. The Kufans encouraged Zayd to revolt. Zayd was ordered to leave Kufah and though he appeared to set out for Mecca, he returned and dwelt secretly in Kufah moving from house to house and receiving the allegiance of many people. Yusuf ibn Umar, Iraq's governor, learned of the plot, commanded the people to gather at the great mosque, locked them inside and began a search for Zayd. Zayd with some troops fought his way to the mosque and called on people to come out. He then pushed back Yusuf's troops, but was felled by an arrow. Although his body was initially buried, the spot was pointed out and it was extracted, beheaded and the head sent to Hisham and later to Medina

Despite Hisham's successes, the Abbasids continued to gain power, building power bases in Khurasan and Iraq. However, they would not prove strong enough to make a move yet. Some of them were caught, punished or executed by eastern governors. Alī ibn Ḥusayn son of Husayn bin Ali resided in Medina, was poisoned by Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik on 25th of Muharram, 95 AH (approximately 23 October, 712).
Hisham died of diphtheria on Wednesday, February 6, 743. He impressed others with his simplicity and honesty. He wore the same green cloak he had worn since before becoming caliph. He demonstrated he knew how to make bread and to milk a goat. He was conscientious in administering the finances of the empire. As all the Marwanids, he did not draw the military stipend, unless actually on campaign. He dwelt in the desert to avoid plague. Near the Byzantine site of al-Rusafah he built two castles. Hisham was succeeded by his nephew al-Walid ibn Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik (Walid II).


Coin Specs

Item : Dirham of Caliph Hisham bin Abdul Malik
Obverse Field:
لا اله الا الله وحده لا شرك له

There is no deity except (the one) God alone. He has no equal
Obverse Margin (triple borders with five annulets around ):
بسم الله ضرب هذا الدرهم بواسط سنة اربع وعشرين ومئة
In the name of God. This Dirham was struck in Wasit in the year one hundred twenty four

Reverse Field:
الله احد الله الصمد لم يلد و لم يولد و لم يكن له كفوا احد
God is One God. The eternal and indivisible, who has not begotten, and has not been begotten and never is there His equal (112)
Reverse Margin (five annulets ):
محمد رسول الله ارسله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله ولو كره المشركون

Muhammad is the messenger of God. He sent him with guidance and the true religion to reveal it to all religions even if the polytheists abhor it.(9.33)


Weight : 2.90gm
Diam : 25mm
Denom : Dirham
Metal : AR
Year : 124 AH ( 741 CE)
Mint : Wasit
Rarity : Purchased Price : USD
Ref :  A. DeShazo and M. Bates, "The Umayyad Governors of al-Iraq and the Changing Annulet Patterns on their Dirhams," NC 1974, pg. 113; CMC II 576; Album 137

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