Chemical Analysis of Some Umayyad Dirhems Minted at Wasit

Abstract

AbstractThis study deals with the stylistic and chemical analysis of a collection of Umayyad silver coins minted at W®sit in the period between A. H. 90 (A. D. 708) – A. H. 124 (A. D. 741). The stylistic analysis shows that the coins are typical of the post-reform Islamic silver coinage as they were purely Arabic. The x-ray fluorescence results indicate that the coins have a high level of fineness with an average silver content of 94.71%. The results also signify that there had been a clear trend toward the production finer dirhems over time. One may infer a high level of quality control and strict monetary policies adopted by the various govenors of Wasit.