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Dirhams as circulating currency in southern Bilād al-Shām in the first Islamic centuries

Alan Walmsley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The expanding role of the dirham in the monetary economy of southernBilād al-Shām (Syria Palestine) under the Marwānid Umayyads can be demonstrated through site finds, hoards and, to a limited degree, by epigraphic evidence dating from the period. This paper examines the nature of the steady adoption of a silver standard whereas, in earlier Byzantine times, coin metallurgy was almost exclusively gold (the solidus) and copper (the follis). The evidence shows that, by the mid-eighth century, silver coinage had become an integral part of the monetary economy of Bilād al-Shām.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDamascus Papers - Proceedings from the Conference Kufic Coins – Symposium on Islamic Numismatics, from the 8th to the 11th Century, Damascus 5–7 November 2007
EditorsJens Christian Moesgaard
Place of PublicationStockholm
PublisherThe Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
Pages169-175
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9789188763730
Publication statusPublished - 2026
EventKufic Coins - Damascus 2007 - Symposium on Islamic Numismatics, from the 8th to the 11th Century - Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Duration: 5 Nov 20077 Nov 2007

Publication series

NameCommentationes de Nummis Saeculorum IX–XI in Suecia Repertis, Nova Series
PublisherThe Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
Volume19
ISSN (Print)0284-7205

Conference

ConferenceKufic Coins - Damascus 2007 - Symposium on Islamic Numismatics, from the 8th to the 11th Century
Country/TerritorySyrian Arab Republic
CityDamascus
Period5/11/077/11/07

Keywords

  • Bilād al-Shām
  • silver coinage
  • hoards
  • market behaviour
  • Damascus
  • Baysan
  • Fihl
  • Jarash
  • Hims
  • numismatics

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