Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 4 9 May 2017
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Islamic Coins, Umayyad, Sulayman (b. 'Abd al-Malik 96-99h), lead treasury and accounting weight of 20 dinars, no mint name date 99h, field: Muhammad/rasul Allah/sana tisa'/wa tisa'/in mi'a, margin (partial text): amira bihi Sulayman amir al-mu'minin wt. 87.05gms, encrusted, good very fine, of the highest rarity, probably unique
This extraordinary object undoubtedly formed part of the equipment employed in the work of an Umayyad treasury office. It would have been used to regulate the receipt and disbursement of gold dinars. When the weight of this piece is divided by twenty the resulting average weight is 4.35 grams, close to the theoretical Syrian weight of the dinar, which was approximately a half carat heavier than the Umayyad dinars in regular circulation at the time that this weight was cast. This piece provides an interesting glimpse into the daily life of an Umayyad treasury office and is a key artefact in the regulation of treasury accounts. (6000 - 8000 GBP)
This extraordinary object undoubtedly formed part of the equipment employed in the work of an Umayyad treasury office. It would have been used to regulate the receipt and disbursement of gold dinars. When the weight of this piece is divided by twenty the resulting average weight is 4.35 grams, close to the theoretical Syrian weight of the dinar, which was approximately a half carat heavier than the Umayyad dinars in regular circulation at the time that this weight was cast. This piece provides an interesting glimpse into the daily life of an Umayyad treasury office and is a key artefact in the regulation of treasury accounts. (6000 - 8000 GBP)