Almohad. Dirham Date: AH 558-668 / AD 1163-1270- Lot of 4 (Ei pohjahintaa)

ISLAMIC, Spain & North Africa, ALMOHAD: Anonymous, Lot of 4 Silver (AR) Square Dirhams
Date: AH 558-668 / AD 1163-1270
Mint: Not specified (NM), No Date (ND)
Reference: Album 496
Total Weight: 6.12 grams
Diameter: 15 mm

Description: This lot includes three exquisite Silver (AR) Square Dirhams minted during the Almohad Caliphate, a powerful Islamic dynasty that dominated Spain and North Africa between AH 558-668 (AD 1163-1270). The coins are notable for their square shape, a unique characteristic of Almohad coinage, and exhibit exceptionally high quality with crisp, clear Arabic inscriptions, indicating the advanced minting techniques and craftsmanship of the period.

Obverse:

Arabic Inscription: The legend is written in three lines, encircled by a double border, emphasizing the Almohad's strict adherence to monotheism and divine authority.
Text:
لا إله إلا الله
الأمر كله لله
لا قوة إلا بالله
Translation:
"There is no god but Allah.
All authority belongs to Allah.
There is no power except through Allah."
Reverse:

Arabic Inscription: The reverse features another three-line inscription, framed by a double border, reflecting the central figures of the Almohad faith.
Text:
الله ربنا
محمد رسولنا
المهدي امامنا
Translation:
"God is our Lord.
Muhammad is our Messenger.
The Mahdi is our Leader."
The Almohad Caliphate (c. AH 515-668 / AD 1121-1270) was a major Islamic empire that originated in North Africa and later expanded into the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by the reformist leader Ibn Tumart, the Almohads emerged as a movement aiming to purify Islamic practices and return to a stricter interpretation of monotheism. They overthrew the Almoravids, establishing a powerful and centralized state that reached its height in the 12th and 13th centuries.

At their zenith, the Almohads controlled a vast territory from Morocco to Libya in North Africa, and in southern Spain (al-Andalus). They were known for their military might, architectural achievements, and cultural contributions. The reign of the Almohads also saw the flourishing of Islamic scholarship, with influential thinkers like Ibn Rushd (Averroes) contributing significantly to philosophy, law, and science.

The square-shaped Dirhams of the Almohad period, were a distinctive feature, differing from the typical round coinage of other Islamic and European realms. These coins, often of high-quality silver and adorned with elegant Arabic calligraphy, symbolized the Almohads' commitment to religious purity and their unique identity within the Islamic world. The inscriptions on the Dirhams reflect the Almohad’s emphasis on strict monotheism and the centrality of the Mahdi, a messianic figure in their belief system who was seen as the leader guiding them towards true Islam.

These Dirhams are not only notable for their remarkable quality and precise calligraphy, but they also served as instruments of political and religious messaging, reinforcing the Almohad's authority across their vast empire during a period of significant power and cultural development.
Condition: Very high-quality Dirhams with sharp and elegant calligraphy.