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Monday, 23rd February 2009 (902 views)

An ancient gold coin that is considered priceless has been officially certified as genuine.

The coin, which is known as the Dinar of the Standing Caliph, or Abdul Malik bin Marwan al-Umawi, has been validated by Dr Samir al-Khadem of the Numismatics Society of the Arab and Islamic World, Business Intelligence Middle East reports.

Dr al-Khadem told the Qatari owners of the 22.8-c coin that it was "minted during the seventies of the first Hegira century" and is a "prototype of the first Islamic type and specimen of currency".

He explained that the coin's weight, diameter, fineness and form certified its authenticity, noting that the 4.25g piece is the only genuine Dinar without faults that is known to exist.

The owners of the coin are now reluctant to put a value on the item, which carries a portrait of the Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan on its obverse side.

In related news, Indian Bank Andhra has begun selling 4g, 8g and 10g gold coins to buyers in the country's Asok Nagar district.

 

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