Title: Gold Solidus (Umayyad Imperial Image Type, Pre-reform)
Date: no date; (72–3 AH/ 691–2 AD)
Location: without mint name; but almost certainly struck in Damascus
Dimensions: 4.38g; 20mm
Accession Number: AV 1085
Other Notes:
This is the first gold coin to bear a Muslim inscription (the kalimah).
Obverse: three figures, central figure bearded and larger, all wearing long robes and crowns without a cross, and all holding staffs sumounted by a pellet in their right hand.
Reverse: transformed cross on four steps, ‘B’ to left, ‘I’ to right; marginal inscription in Arabic beginning 12:00, bism Allah la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu Muammad rasul Allah.
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