Page 190 - Arabian Studies (I)

174 Arabian Studies l
No fractional dinars of Muhammad’s brother ‘Umar have yet been
published. Dirhams of 341 in his name are known, and dinars of 345,
347, and 350 have been recorded, all from ‘Uman. ‘Umar’s reign
appears to have lasted from 340 or 341 to about 354 (ca.
951-65 A.D.).6
4. Dinar, Buyid, Balia’ al-Dawlah Flriiz, ‘Uman, 395 H./
1004-05 A.D. (Gift of Eric P. Newman, 1972, in honor of
George C. Miles). 22 mm., 4.76 gm. Plate I, 4.

Obv.: Rev.:
<3 Lw Lft' Lu
<aJU 1 u>^j

^ <ulc- aJJI
d j->» ^
elL. dUL ^ jlaJl
^ jJ 1
^ *
oLi- ^ dUl
c
Mirgi/z: Margin: Qur'an IX, 33.

^ «l) 1 1 UA dll 1
j a •- ~ ^ dLw>

In 1927 Vasmer expressed regret that no coins of ‘Uman under the
rule of Baha’ al-Dawlah (388-403 H/998—1012 A.D.) had yet been
found, and in 1958 this complaint was endorsed by Bivar and Stern.7
Here then is such a coin. It is perhaps still somewhat disappointing,
in that it does not bear the name of any local governor in addition to
that of Baha’ al-Dawlah; unless indeed the letter ha' under the reverse
field inscription stands for al-Husayn b. Mukrum, who was governor
in ‘Uman from between 390 and 394 (999-1004 A.D.) until some
time before 415 H/1024-25.8
Although Vasmer’s work remains useful and reliable, it is to be
noted that many of the coins which he lists (as well as those added
by Zambaur) have never been fully described. Moreover, collections
other than that of the A.N.S. no doubt contain unpublished coins of
‘Uman from this period. It also seems possible that new literary
sources have become available since Vasmer wrote. A new study of
the history of ‘Uman in the ninth and tenth centuries would be most
welcome. It is hoped that the present contribution will be of value for
the detailed analysis of the numismatic evidence which such a study
must necessarily include.