ISLAMIC, Umayyad Caliphate – Reign of al-Walid I ibn 'Abd al-Malik (AH 86-96 / AD 705-715) Silver Dirham, Istakhr Mint, AH 94 (AD 712/3) Weight: 2.84 grams Diameter: 28 mm Reference: Album 128 (Very Fine Condition) Obverse: Central Inscription (in Arabic): لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ Translation: "There is no deity but Allah, the One, there is no partner to Him." Marginal Inscription (in Arabic): بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ضُرِبَ هَذَا ٱلدِّرْهَمُ بِٱصْطَخْرِ فِي سَنَةِ أَرْبَعٍ وَتِسْعِينَ Translation: "In the name of Allah. This dirham was struck in Istakhr in the year 94." Reverse: Central Inscription (in Arabic – Qur'an, Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4): ٱللَّٰهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّٰهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ Translation: "Allah is One, Allah is Absolute, He begets not, nor is He begotten, and none is like Him." Marginal Inscription (in Arabic – Qur'an, Surah At-Tawbah 9:33): مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ أَرْسَلَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ Translation: "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. He sent him with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He may make it overcome all religions, even though the unbelievers may dislike it." Historical Context: This silver dirham was struck during the reign of al-Walid I, the sixth Umayyad caliph. Al-Walid I is remembered for expanding the Islamic Caliphate to its greatest territorial extent, including conquests in Spain, North Africa, and Central Asia. His reign was also marked by economic growth and the construction of notable architectural works, including the Great Mosque of Damascus. The Istakhr mint, located in Persia (modern-day Iran), was an important provincial mint during the Umayyad period, reflecting the caliphate’s administrative reach and the adoption of Arabic inscriptions on coinage—a significant shift from earlier Sasanian-style designs. This coin, dated AH 94 (AD 712/3), represents a pivotal era when Islamic numismatic traditions became firmly established across the empire.