The End of Umayyad Coinage in Southern Bilad al-Sham

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of when Umayyad copper coinage in southern Bilad al-
Sham (roughly speaking present-day Israel and Jordan) ended. Most of these coins are
undated, and no clear typological arguments exist for distinguishing late Umayyad from
early Abbasid issues. This has led some authors to believe that continuity in copper coinage
prevailed between these two dynasties. However, the archaeological material shows
widespread destruction throughout southern Bilad al-Sham as the result of a severe earthquake
in 749 CE. Since this natural disaster brought urban life to an end in many cities, it
is most likely that, by and large, the issue of copper coins in the various mints of southern
Bilad al-Sham also ceased.