Granada (1417-29) dinar
This specimen was lot 43195 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $20,400. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ISLAMIC KINGDOMS. Nasrids of Granada. Dinar (Dobla), ND (AH 819-832) [1417-1429]). Madinat Gharnata (Granada) Mint. Muhammad VIII al-Mutamassik. NGC MS-62. A VERY RARE issue from the Nasrids of Granada, the final Muslim dynasty to rule within the Iberian Peninsula. Muhammad VIII of Granada was the 14th ruler Nasrid ruler in al-Andalus. He initially rose to power as Sultan of Granada at the approximate age of six, though the powerful Abencerrages (Banū Sarrāj) family quickly deposed and replaced him with Muhammad IX. His later return to power was again quickly cut short at the hands of Muhammad IX, by whom he was reportedly executed. As all Nasrid Dinars, this piece is a RARITY that is only accentuated by the brevity of this ruler's reign in this period marked by violent exchanges of power and recurrent turbulence with the northern Christian kingdoms. These Dinars are known for their elegance and fine style, and the present example is no exception, with neatly arranged and well-struck details. In addition, the condition is sublime, with fresh Mint State surfaces, bright luster peeking through from the fields, and splashes of reddish toning. The sole finest example certified by NGC for this ruler."
The Muslim dominions in Spain were reduced to the kingdom of Granada by the late thirteenth century but there the Reconquista stalled as the various Christian kingdoms fought among themselves over the newly conquered lands. This is the only coin of this ruler mentioned in Cayón, where it is called a dobla.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.64 g, gold, 33 mm diameter, this specimen 4.65 g.
Catalog reference: cf. Vives-2174; Album-E412 (RR), Cayón-766.
- Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
- 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.
Link to:
- Granada (1333-54) dobla, Yusuf I
- Majorca (1416-58) real
- Valencia (1416-58) real
- Valencia (1416-58) florin Fr-10
- Granada (1482-92) dinar, Muhammad XII "Boabdil"
- Coins and currency dated 1417