A Bronze Weight Of Saʿīd Ibn ‘Abd Al-Malik, c. 126 AH / 744 CE
Islamic Awareness
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First Composed: 14th February 2007
Last Modified: 14th February 2007
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Assalamu ʿalaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a) Picture of the coin weight issued in the name of ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Marwān. The epigraphic contents of (b) obverse margin and (c) the inner circle.
Date
c. 126 AH / 744 CE.
Characteristics
This weight is made of highly leaded copper alloy. Its measurements are: 5.0 cm in diameter and 1.30 cm thick; its present weight is 83.78 grams. In cross-section it appears curved on both sides. Around the margin of the obverse, between two raised circles, runs the remaining part of a delicately and expertly carved inscription.
Contents
Obverse margin:
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, [there is no god but God, alone, no partner has he], Muḥammad is the messenger of God.
Within the inner circle, the surviving inscription reads:
- Ordered by the Amīr
- Saʿīd Ibn ʿAbd
- al-Malik by.....
Comments
This disc type weight is well known to have been used under Byzantine rule in the 6th century CE. Only one half of the weight survives.
The rest of the surviving inscription probably provided information about the person who made the weight and perhaps its date and place of manufacture, as well as its weight and possibly other data as well.
Location
Not known.
References
[1] E. Khamis, "A Bronze Weight Of Sa‘īd B. ‘Abd Al-Malik From Bet Shean / Baysān", Journal Of The Royal Asiatic Society, 2002, Volume 12, Series 3, pp. 143-154.
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