Category 2. The Rise of the Islamic Gold Dinar (696 CE)

The dinar influence on trade in the medieval world was profound, shaping economies across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe. Introduced in 696 CE by Caliph Abd al-Malik, the Islamic gold dinar quickly became a trusted and…

By the late 7th century, the Byzantine Solidus was still the dominant gold currency in the Mediterranean, but a new economic power was emerging—the Islamic Caliphate. Under the rule of Caliph Abd al-Malik (r. 685–705 CE) of the Umayyad Dynasty,…