ARAB-BYZANTINE — UMAYYAD CALIPHATE
‘ABD AL-MALIK IBN MARWAN (685–705 AD)
AE FALS — COPPER
An early Arab-Byzantine copper fals attributed to the Umayyad Caliphate during the reign of ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (685–705 AD).
The obverse features a standing male figure holding a sword, reflecting the Byzantine-influenced figural style found on early Arab-Byzantine coinage. The reverse carries Arabic inscriptions, representing the growing use of Arabic on coinage under the Umayyad rulers.
This type of coin is especially interesting because it represents the transition between Byzantine monetary traditions and the developing coinage of the early Islamic world. Rather than immediately abandoning established Byzantine imagery, the early Umayyads adapted familiar designs while introducing Arabic inscriptions and their own political authority.
Ruler: ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan
Dynasty: Umayyad Caliphate
Date: 685–705 AD
Denomination: AE Fals
Metal: Copper
Obverse: Standing male figure holding a sword
Reverse: Arabic inscription
Period: Late 7th century AD
Classification: Arab-Byzantine / Early Islamic Transitional Coinage
A fascinating historical piece from one of the most important transitional periods in the development of Islamic coinage.
