Al-Andalus AH 491 dinar
This specimen was lot 1312 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 39 (Winter Park, FL, May 2026), where it sold for $12,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SPAIN (Al-Andalus), Almoravids, Madinat Qurtuba (Córboda) مدينة قرطبة, AV dinar, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, 491 AH (1098 AD), extremely rare, NGC MS 64, ex-Tonegawa. Very sharp full details and choice luster, tied with next lot for second finest in NGC census for the type behind a single MS 65, this date not recorded in Vives or Hazard for this mint.
By the late 11th century, faced with the military advance of the Crown of Castile, the taifa rulers sought assistance from the Almoravids led by Yusuf ibn Tashfin. Although the North African intervention initially succeeded in halting Christian expansion, the political balance soon shifted. Following their military victories, the Almoravids gradually imposed their own authority over the taifa kingdoms, incorporating al Andalus into their expanding dominion.
The establishment of Almoravid rule brought a significant reorganization of the monetary system. Under their authority the Almoravid dinar became firmly established, a gold coin noted for its remarkable consistency and high metallic purity that soon developed into one of the principal reference currencies of medieval Mediterranean commerce. Its prestige was such that its typology was imitated in several parts of the Christian world, as seen in the mancuses of Barcelona, the bezants of the Crusader states, the so called dinar of Offa in England, and the Castilian morabetinos.
From an ideological perspective these issues also reflect a clearly defined doctrinal orientation. The coin inscriptions incorporate Qur’anic verse 3:85, which proclaims Islam as the only religion accepted by God, replacing earlier formulations centered primarily on the prophetic mission. This reference, associated with the doctrinal tradition linked to the Abbasid caliphate and the symbolic authority of the imam Abd Allah, reinforces the religious and legitimizing function of the Almoravid dinar within the political discourse of the new regime.
From a technical standpoint these coins are distinguished by the high quality of their manufacture. The precision of the engraving and the refined execution of the calligraphy give these dinars a distinctive aesthetic appeal, qualities that can be fully appreciated in the six remarkable specimens presented here.
- Obverse (IA) Central inscription:
لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله أمير المسلمبن علي ابن يوسف La ilah illa Allah / Muhammad rasul Allah / amir almuslimin ‘Ali / Ibn Yusuf There is no god but Allah / Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah / the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali / ibn Yusuf Note: The first two lines on all Almoravid dinars contain the religious formula known as the Kalima or Shahada. Marginal legend: و مان يابتاغي غايرا اللسليم دينام فا لام يوكبالو منه و هوا في العجيراتي ميناء الجاسرينا wa-man yabtagui gayra al-islám dinam fa-lam yuqbalu minhu wa-huwa fi al ajirati mina al-jasirina. Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers (Qur’an 3:85).
- Reverse (IIA) Central legend:
الايمان عبد الله أمير المؤمنين Al Iman / Abd-Allah / Amir Almuminin The Imam / ‘Abd Allah / Commander of the Faithful
The central inscription acknowledges the spiritual sovereignty of the Abbasid caliphate. NGC #8437663-003. Pedigreed to the Tonegawa Collection (stated on label), Auction III (Aureo & Calicó 453, June 2025, lot 397), and plated in Gaceta Numismática 93, p. 27, number 5."
This gold dinar was struck at numerous mints, including Seville, Denia, Granada, Malaga, Almeria, Valencia, Ceuta (in Africa) and Fez (in Africa). Cayón records no silver issues for this ruler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 4.10 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-616, Vives-unl; Hazard-unl.
- Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Auction 39, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Jorge Ugaz Collection of Lima Silver Cob 2 Reales and the Darby Collection of Guatemala Silver Cobs, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2026.
Links to:
- Seville AH 467 dinar, Muhammad ibn ‘Abbad al Mu‘tamid
- al-Andalus AH 495 dinar, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, Cordoba mint
- al-Andalus AH 537 dinar, Ali Bin Yusuf, Seville mint
- Coins and currency dated 1098