Granada (1419-53) dinar
This specimen was lot 42493 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $5,734. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ISLAMIC KINGDOMS. Nasrids of Granada. Dinar, ND (AH 821-856) [1419-1453]). Madinat Gharnata (Granada) Mint. Muhammad IX. NGC Unc Details--Removed from Jewelry. A VERY RARE issue from the Nasrids of Granada, the final Muslim dynasty to rule within the Iberian Peninsula. Muhammad IX was the 15th and longest-reigning Nasrid ruler in al-Andalus, ruling for four separate intervals between 1419 and 1453. His initial rise to power came as the result of a coup against the child ruler Muhammad VIII, who was overthrown and imprisoned with the help of the powerful Abencerrages (Banū Sarrāj) family. In 1427, Muhammad IX was himself overthrown and exiled, and Muhammad VIII was restored to power; however, in 1430, Muhammad IX besieged Granada, cutting off the water supply and forcing the surrender of Muhammad VIII, whom he then executed. The remainder of his reign saw similar interruptions by Nasrid and Castilian factions, as well as a temporary abdication from 1445-47.
As [with] all Nasrid Dinars, this piece is a SIGNIFICANT RARITY, hailing from a period marked by violent exchanges of power and recurrent internal turbulence. These Dinars are known for their elegance and fine style, and the present example is no exception, with neatly arranged and sharply-struck details. While there is small evidence of a mount removal at 6 o'clock, the surfaces are otherwise in exceptional condition, with much luster present, no signs whatsoever of wear, and no other detracting surface issues. Of some interest is a star or pentagram at the top left corner of the reverse field, which appears to be atypical for the type."
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.
Catalog reference: Cayón-767, A-412 (RR).
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
Link to:
- Majorca (1416-58) real
- Valencia (1416-58) real
- Valencia (1416-58) florin Fr-10
- Granada (1417-29) dinar, Muhammad VIII
- Granada (1482-92) dinar, Muhammad XII "Boabdil"
- Coins and currency dated 1419