Sharjah Launches Project to Document Rare Islamic Coins in Italy
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: Economy Middle East
Sharjah: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has launched a new project to study and record a rare collection of Islamic coins kept in Sforzesco Castle in Milan, Italy. The collection has 1,103 Islamic coins from different periods of history. One of the most important coins in the collection is the oldest known Arab-Islamic dinar, which dates back to the year 77 AH.
This project aims to study how Islamic civilization grew and changed over time. It also highlights the important role Islamic culture played in shaping world history. The initiative is supported by the Sharjah Book Authority in partnership with the Arabic Cultural Institute at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. The goal is to revive Islamic heritage in Italy and make this valuable history available to researchers and experts.
Rare Islamic Coin Collection in Milan
Experts say the coin collection is one of the rarest Islamic coin collections found outside the Arab world. It includes coins from different Islamic regions and time periods. For many years, the coins were stored in a museum inside Sforzesco Castle. Because of this, they were not widely studied by researchers.
Now, the new project will help scholars understand more about Islamic economic systems, trade routes, and how Islamic culture spread across different parts of the world.
Oldest Islamic Dinar from the Umayyad Period
One of the most important coins in the collection is a gold dinar made in the year 77 AH during the rule of Umayyad Caliph Abd Al-Malik Ibn Marwan. This coin was produced after Arabic writing began to be used on Islamic coins in Damascus, which was then the capital of the Islamic Caliphate.
The coin weighs one mithqal, which is about 4.25 grams of pure gold. It shows the shift from Byzantine coins to coins with a clear Arab identity. This change marked an important step in the development of the Islamic economy and culture. Experts say the collection also shows how coins were produced in different cities across the Islamic world. It helps researchers understand trade networks and cultural exchanges during different Islamic periods.
Academic Study of the Coin Collection
The Arabic Cultural Institute in Milan is leading the work to study and document the coins. The institute has appointed Dr. Roweida Al Nabarawy, a specialist in Islamic coins, to carry out the research. She will carefully study the coins and take high-quality photographs of each one.
A detailed book about the collection will also be published. The publication will help scholars and historians learn more about Islamic coinage and its importance in global history.
Sharjah’s Efforts to Preserve Islamic Heritage
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said the project reflects the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to preserve and share Arab civilization with future generations.
He said the study will help researchers and experts better understand the achievements of Islamic civilization. It will also encourage young people to feel proud of their cultural identity and history. According to Al Ameri, the Arabic Cultural Institute in Milan was created to support research and present Islamic heritage to a global audience.
Strengthening Cultural Links Between Arabs and Italy
Dr. Wael Farouq, Director of the Arabic Cultural Institute in Milan, said many Italians are not aware of the valuable Arab heritage kept in their museums and libraries. He explained that only a small number of specialists in Italy have seen the Islamic coin collection.
The new study and publication will help increase awareness about the historical relationship between Arabs and Italy. It will also highlight the role Arabs played in shaping knowledge and culture in Europe.
About the Arabic Cultural Institute
The Arabic Cultural Institute in Milan was established by the Sharjah Book Authority in cooperation with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.
The institute was launched last year as part of a wider plan to open Arabic cultural centers in major cities around the world. These centers aim to build cultural dialogue between Arab and Western societies and showcase the contributions of Arab and Muslim civilizations to science, culture, and creativity.
