ARAB-BYZANTINE, CIRCA AH 60-72 (679-691). THE FIRST ISLAMIC GOLD COINAGE : AN UNKNOWN GOLD FRACTION OF A SOLIDUS. Dynastie Omeyyade. Tremissis non daté, vers AH 60-72 (679-691), atelier indéterminé. DN FOCA - [S]PP AVG. Buste de l'empereur Phocas, coiffé d'un diadème et drapé, à droite / VICTORI FOCAS AVG. Petit palmier. CONO[B] à l'exergue. 1,43g. Bernardi - (cf.1) ; Walker - ; SNG Ashmolean -.

Une monnaie curieuse et remarquable. Très beau.

Notes
This tremissis is inspired by that of the Byzantine emperor Phocas (602-610), but the cross on the reverse has been replaced by a small palm tree. There are examples of solidi of Phocas and Heraclius that were modified by removing the crosses found in Byzantine designs. While this tremissis is clearly the first known example of this kind, it nonetheless forms part of the same movement. The modification is symbolic but quite discreet visually, which would have prevented the coin from being rejected by users who were accustomed to the Byzantine coins then in circulation. A close examination reveals that it was the die, and not the coin, that was modified, revealing that this was an official innovation that can only have taken place between around AH 60 and 72. From 72 onwards, new coins bearing an Arabic legend put an end to imitations. (Thanks to Mr. Giulio Bernardi)