What Is a Dinar? The Gold Coin of the Islamic World
What Is a Dinar? The Gold Coin of the Islamic World
A Coin of Pure Gold and Sacred Calligraphy, the Dinar Borrowed Its Name From the Roman Denarius and Its Weight From the Byzantine Solidus, Then Became a Trusted Currency From Damascus to the Mediterranean.
The dinar was the principal gold denomination of the early Islamic world and one of history's most influential currencies.
Introduced during the sweeping coinage reforms of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan in AH 77 (AD 696 to 697), the dinar became the standard gold coin of the Islamic caliphates and remained a symbol of wealth, commerce, and political authority for centuries. Unlike the Byzantine solidus that inspired it, the reformed Islamic dinar replaced imperial portraits with elegant Arabic inscriptions and religious declarations. This distinctive design reflected the identity of the growing Islamic state while creating one of history's most recognizable gold coins.
Today, ancient dinars are among the most sought-after Islamic coins, prized for both their beauty and their historical importance.
What Is a Dinar?
The dinar was the principal gold denomination of the early Islamic caliphates. Following the monetary reforms of Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan around AH 77 (AD 696 to 697), it became the standard gold coin used throughout much of the Islamic world.
For centuries, the dinar served as the highest-value regularly circulating coin within Islamic commerce.
What Does Dinar Mean?
The word dinar ultimately derives from the Latin word denarius. The name passed through Greek (dēnarion) and Middle Persian (dēnār) before becoming the Arabic word dīnār.
Although the Roman denarius was originally a silver coin, the name evolved over centuries into the Arabic word for a gold coin. Many modern currencies continue to use the historic name today.
When Was the Dinar Introduced?
The first standardized Islamic gold dinars were introduced during the reforms of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan in AH 77 (AD 696 to 697). Before these reforms, the Islamic world commonly used Byzantine gold solidi and locally modified imitations.
The reformed dinar established an independent Islamic gold currency that reflected the authority of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Why Was the Dinar Important?
The dinar became one of the most respected gold coins of the medieval world.
- The Middle East
- North Africa
- al-Andalus (Islamic Spain)
- Persia
- Central Asia
- Parts of India
The consistency of its weight and high gold purity made the dinar a trusted international currency for merchants, governments, and travelers.
How Big Is a Dinar?
- Weight About 4.25 grams
- Diameter Approximately 19 to 21 mm
- Metal High-purity gold
This weight closely followed the Byzantine solidus and was approximately one mithqal of gold, reflecting the practical realities of international commerce.
What Appears on a Dinar?
Unlike Roman and Byzantine gold coins, most reformed Islamic dinars feature no portraits. Instead, they display carefully arranged Arabic inscriptions.
- The Islamic declaration of faith (Shahada)
- Qur'anic inscriptions or quotations
- The name of the caliph
- The mint where the coin was struck
- The year of issue according to the Hijri (AH) calendar
The result is one of the most elegant and recognizable coin designs in medieval history.
Why Don't Dinars Have Portraits?
Some of the earliest Islamic gold coins closely resembled Byzantine solidi. However, Abd al-Malik's monetary reforms introduced a new inscriptional design that emphasized religious and political messages rather than imperial portraits.
This distinctive style became the foundation of Islamic coinage for centuries.
Why Are Dinar Dates Written Differently?
Islamic dinars are dated according to the Hijri (AH) calendar. The Hijri calendar begins with the Prophet Muhammad's migration (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina in AD 622 and follows lunar years rather than solar years.
Collectors therefore encounter dates such as AH 77, AH 150, or AH 400 rather than AD dates.
Who Issued Dinars?
Many Islamic dynasties struck gold dinars over the centuries.
- Umayyad Caliphate
- Umayyads of al-Andalus
- Abbasid Caliphate
- Fatimid Caliphate
- Seljuks
- Almoravids
- Almohads
- Ayyubids
Because the denomination remained in use for centuries, collectors can build fascinating collections spanning much of medieval Islamic history.
Was the Dinar Based on the Byzantine Solidus?
Yes. The Islamic dinar closely followed the weight standard of the Byzantine solidus, one of history's most successful gold coins.
While the weight remained similar, the reformed dinar introduced an entirely new artistic style centered on Arabic inscriptions instead of imperial portraits.
Were Dinars Used Outside the Islamic World?
Yes. Islamic gold dinars circulated well beyond the borders of the caliphates. They were accepted by merchants throughout the Mediterranean and influenced European gold coinage during the Middle Ages.
Medieval European writers sometimes referred to eastern gold coins as bezants, a term that could include Byzantine solidi as well as Islamic dinars. Their reputation for reliable gold content made them one of the most trusted trade coins of their era.
Why Are Ancient Dinars So Valuable?
Several factors contribute to the value of ancient dinars. They were struck in gold, meaning far fewer were produced than silver or bronze coins. Over the centuries, many were melted and recoined, reducing the number that survive today.
As a result, authentic ancient dinars are generally much scarcer, and more valuable, than their silver counterparts.
Are Ancient Dinars Rare?
Ancient gold dinars are considerably scarcer than silver dirhams. Because they were struck in gold, many were melted and recoined over the centuries.
Nevertheless, collectors can still obtain authentic examples from many different dynasties, although prices are typically much higher than those of silver dirhams.
Collecting Ancient Dinars
Collectors appreciate Islamic dinars for the history and artistry they carry in gold.
- Historic gold coinage
- Exceptional Arabic calligraphy
- Connections to the rise of Islam
- High-quality medieval gold
- Numerous dynasties and rulers
Many collectors consider the dinar one of the most beautiful and historically significant gold coins ever produced. If you're interested in Islamic coinage, be sure to read our guides to the Dirham, Fals, Byzantine Solidus, and Hexagram.
Although its name ultimately traces back to the Roman denarius and its weight standard reflects the Byzantine solidus, the reformed dinar established a distinctly Islamic identity through elegant Arabic inscriptions and remarkable consistency in gold purity. From the markets of Damascus and Cairo to the great trading cities of the Mediterranean, the dinar symbolized the economic strength, stability, and cultural influence of the Islamic world for centuries.
From the markets of Damascus and Cairo to the great trading cities of the Mediterranean, the dinar symbolized the economic strength and cultural influence of the Islamic world.
History wasn't just written. It was minted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dinar?
The dinar was the principal gold denomination of the early Islamic world and remained one of its most important coins for centuries.
Where does the word dinar come from?
The name ultimately derives from the Latin word denarius, passing through Greek and Middle Persian before becoming the Arabic dīnār.
Who introduced the Islamic dinar?
The standardized Islamic dinar was introduced during the monetary reforms of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan around AH 77 (AD 696 to 697).
Was the dinar based on the Byzantine solidus?
Yes. The Islamic dinar adopted a weight standard very similar to the Byzantine solidus while introducing an entirely new inscriptional design.
Was the Islamic dinar the same as the Roman aureus?
No. The Roman aureus had disappeared centuries before the Islamic dinar was introduced. The dinar's weight standard more closely followed the Byzantine solidus.
Why don't Islamic dinars have portraits?
Following Abd al-Malik's reforms, Islamic gold coinage generally emphasized Arabic inscriptions rather than portraits, creating one of history's most distinctive coin types.
Was the dinar mentioned in the Bible?
No. The Islamic dinar was introduced in the late seventh century, several centuries after the events described in the Bible.
Is the modern dinar related to the ancient one?
Yes. Modern currencies such as the Jordanian Dinar, Kuwaiti Dinar, Bahraini Dinar, Iraqi Dinar, Libyan Dinar, Algerian Dinar, and Serbian Dinar preserve the historic name, although they are modern monetary systems rather than direct continuations of the ancient coin.
Can you still buy an ancient dinar?
Yes. Authentic Islamic gold dinars remain available through ancient coin dealers and auctions. Because they are gold coins, they are generally more valuable than silver dirhams but remain highly collectible.
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