The Power of the Hammudid Dynasty as Represented in the Gold Coins of Ali Ibn Hammud al-Nasir Struck in Andalusia (407-408 A.H. / 1016-1017 A.D.)

In conclusion to this analytical study, it is obvious that examining coins from an analytical perspective assisted in shedding more light on their role, and accordingly in clarifying some political facts concerning the power of the Ḥammūdid dynasty and its birth through the coins of Ali bin Ḥammūd, especially the dinars struck with “al-Andalus” as a mint to show the dominance over all this huge land.

As it was previously mentioned, this ruler reigned for a very brief period; for only about a year and nine months, thus every single piece of his coins has its own value and significance. Also, generally this era was known more of striking the silver coins, while the ones under study are gold. The rarity of these dinars comes from having few pieces with this mint, besides, all their releases date back to the year 407A .H and 408 A.H only, which coincides with the reign of Ali bin Ḥammūd.

Definitely, this date records a turning point in Andalusia history, representing the date Ali bin Ḥammūd came to the throne, thus marking the end of the Umayyad power and reign in this important country and the beginning of a new era of reign, known as Taifa in Andalusia.

In addition, after the comparison made between the four pieces under study, it is obvious that each one of them was struck with a different mold, not only as a result of the different ornaments appearing on each, but also according to the differences in the inscriptions letters shape and size of the four pieces. Besides, concerning the other pieces published in the catalogues studying the coins of this dynasty, it is found that the content of the inscriptions is one; differences only came in the ornaments and the letters shape and size.

The second published dinar in this research is remarkably clear and obvious, and at the same time, it is struck with only one simple floral ornament, which might come as a result of using most of the coin’s surface for inscriptions.

In addition, the analytical study of these coins, not only shed light on the historical events of that time, but also highlighted a highly remarkable notice, for by having an in-depth observation into the coins struck while Ali was a governor of Ceuta and by comparing them to the pieces under study dating back to the time when he was a caliph, the harbingers of the independency intentions of Ali, and his aims to be a caliph and to establish his dominance over the Umayyad caliphate can be noticed. Therefore, it is highly recommended to conduct more analytical studies on coins inscriptions, connecting them to all the contemporary historical aspects for the rest of the Ḥammūdids coins in particular, and the coins of other eras in general.