Alif2 Collection
Coins of the kingdoms of Taifas
(404-503 A.H. / 1013-1110 A.D.)


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The Taifas were the rival dynasties which have ruled Al-Andalus after the collapse of the Umayyad caliphate of Spain circa 399 A.H. / 1009 A.D. and before the Almoravid occupation of Al-Andalus. The different kingdoms of Taifas were supporting either an Hammudid caliph, an Umayyad caliph or even a neutral and generic caliph `Abd Allah (Servant of God) which is a possible reference to the `Abbasid caliph of Bagdad or to a fictitious caliph (Ariza-2 pp. 81-82, Ibrahim, Wasserstein pp. 98-119). In addition to dinars and dirhams (often cut) they have struck Handusi which are official fractional coins struck on shaped blanks (hacksilber) with official dies used for full denomination (dinar or dirham). Consequently, only a portion of the coin can be read (see Francés).



`Amirids of Valencia (412-478 A.H. / 1021-1085 A.D.)

In 411 A.H., the slaves of Valencia revolted and handed power to ʿAbd al-ʿAziz b. Abi ʿAmir
(son of Sanchuelo, `Amir’s own grandson). As his grand-father, he has the title of al-Mansur (the victorious).
Almeria became part of the territories of the Taifa of Valencia in 429 A.H. (Ariza-2 pp. 128-131).


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#1.5.14.3.1

`Abd al-`Aziz al-Mansur

Fractional Dinar (0.78g 11mm)
citing al-Nasir (obv.) and ibn Aghlab and Hisham II (rev.)

No mint, no date
Struck in Valencia

Miles 168, Vives 1065, Prieto 158, Medina 92, Album 375

Al-Nasir is probably one of `Abd al-`Aziz's sons as heir (Album p. 68, Ariza-2 p. 134).
Ibn Aghlab is not identified.


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#1.5.14.3.2

`Abd al-`Aziz al-Mansur

Fractional Dinar (0.71g 8mm)
citing Hisham II (obv. and rev.)

No mint, no date
Struck in Almeria.

Mule coin made of two reverse of Miles 192-248 and Medina 81, 82 and 84.
Album 379

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Dhu`l-Nunids of Toledo (423-483 A.H. / 1032-1090 A.D.)

The Dhu'l-Nunids were one of the Berber tribes who arrived in the Iberian Peninsula at the very time of the conquest,
as part of the troops who landed with Tariq ibn Ziyad (Ariza-2 p. 87). They settled east of Toledo and took control of Toledo
during the Cordoba Revolution (fitna), and the young al-Zafir Isma'il came to power, becoming one of the first Taifa kings to break with the central Andalusian power (Ariza-2 pp. 87-92).

al-Zafir Isma`il (circa 423-435 A.H. / 1032-1043 A.D.)

Al-Zafir Isma`il remained outside the struggles for the caliphate, recognizing neither the Hammudids nor the Umayyads,
and his coins bear the name of the generic caliph `Abd Allah (Servant of God) (Ariza-2 pp. 88-89).


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#1.5.13.2.1

Isma`il (al-Zafir)

Debased Fractional Dinar (billon Handusi) (1.25g 8x11mm)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés 152, Vives 1083, Prieto 321c, Album 395

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Sharaf al-Dawla Yahya I (al-Ma`mun) (435-467 A.H. / 1043-1075 A.D.)

Following the death of Al-Zafir Isma'il (435 AH / 1043 AD), his son Yahya al-Ma`mun succeeded him, taking the title of Dhu al-Majdayn
(the doubly victorious – in this life and the hereafter) and that of Sharaf al-Dawla (Honor of the State). Under his reign,
the court of Toledo reached its zenith and attracted scholars and poets from Kairouan, Egypt, and Baghdad. Unlike his father, he eventually recognized a caliph.
In 436 AH (1044–1045 AD), he pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Hisham II, proclaimed in Seville, and minted coins in his name.
However, he did not grant him the caliphal title of amir al-muminin, which demonstrates the coerced nature of this recognition (Ariza-2, pp. 87–88).


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#1.5.13.3.2

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Fractional Dinar (1.81g 15mm)

No mint, no date

Vives 1100, Prieto 335, Album 396

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#1.5.13.3.1

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Debased fractional Dinar (billon Handusi) (1.07g 15x12mm)
with title Dhu al-Majdayn (reverse)

No mint, no date

Vives 1099, Album 396

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#1.5.13.3.3

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (1.03g 15mm)
with title Dhu al-Majdayn (reverse)

No mint, no date

Francés 173, Med.-Fro. II.2, Album 397

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#1.5.13.3.4

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (2.04g 21x18mm)
with titles Dhu al-Majdayn (obverse)
and Sharaf al-Dawla (reverse)

Mint missing, date missing

Type of Vives 1109, Album 397

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#1.5.13.3.5

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (Handusi) (1.58g 15mm)
with titles Dhu al-Majdayn (obverse)
and Sharaf al-Dawla (reverse)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés 163-172, type of Vives 1111, Album 397

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#1.5.13.3.10

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (handusi) (1.78g 18x15mm)
with titles Dhu al-Majdayn (obverse)
and Sharaf al-Dawla (reverse)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés 163-172, type of Vives 1111, Album 397

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#1.5.13.3.7

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (1.87g 19x20mm)
with titles Dhu al-Majdayn (obverse)
and Sharaf al-Dawla (reverse)

Tuleytula, [46]6 A.H. or [46]7 A.H.

Vives 1112 or 1113, Album 397

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#1.5.13.3.8

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (1.67g 22x18mm)
with titles Dhu al-Majdayn (obverse)
and Sharaf al-Dawla (reverse)

Mint missing, date missing

Type of Vives 1111, Album 397

This coin is the example coin (#3) in Bofarull p.201.

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#1.5.13.3.6

Yahya I (al-Ma`mun)

Copper Dirham (1.21g 21x14mm)
with titles Dhu al-Majdayn (obverse)
and Sharaf al-Dawla (reverse)

Mint missing (Tuleytula), 465 A.H.

Vives 1111, Album 397

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al-Qadir billah Yahya II (467-483 A.H. / 1075-1090 A.D.)

Al-Qadir billah Yahya succeeded his grandfather Yahya al-Ma`mun, and his incompetence and disastrous decisions caused him to lose Toledo and its region, which fell under the authority of the Christians (EI2).


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#1.5.13.4.3

Yahya II (al-Qadir)

Debased fractional Dinar (billon Handusi) (0.88g 11mm)

No mint, no date

Francés pp. 70-72, Miles 525, Vives 1127, Prieto 348, Album T398

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#1.5.13.4.4

Yahya II (al-Qadir)

Debased fractional Dinar (billon Handusi) (1.44g 14mm)

No mint, no date

Francés pp. 70-72, Miles 525, Vives 1127, Prieto 348, Album T398

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#1.5.13.4.6

Yahya II (al-Qadir)

Copper Dirham (Handusi) (3.13g 16x12mm)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés 199, Vives 1126, Prieto 347a, Album 398

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#1.5.13.4.5

Yahya II (al-Qadir)

Copper Dirham (Handusi) (1.41g 13mm)

Mint missing, [4]68 A.H.

Francés p. 68, Vives 1117, Album 398

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#1.5.13.4.7

Yahya II (al-Qadir)

Copper Dirham (Handusi) (2.81g 16x7mm)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés 195, type of Vives 1116, Album 398

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Zirids of Granada (403-483 A.H. / 1013-1090 A.D.)

The Zirids were Fatimid allies in North Africa in the early 4th Hijri Century.
Some of them came from Tunisia to Granada later in the 4th Hijri Century (Album p. 67).

Badis b. Habbus (circa 429-465 A.H. / 1038-1073)

Badis b. Habbus supported the Hammudid Caliphate and Idris II b. Yahya al-`Ali (Ariza-2 pp. 103-107, Clément p. 243).
He assassinated Muhammad I al-Mahdi of Malaqa by offering him a poisoned vase
to support Muhammad I al-Mahdi of Al-Jazira (Ariza pp. 301-302; Ariza-2 p. 106; Clément p. 244).
He ultimatey conquered the Hammudid Caliphate (Ariza-2 p. 107).


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#1.5.6.3.1

Badis b. Habbus

Double Dirham (8.09 g, 25x22mm)

Madinat Gharnata, No date

Vives 852, Medina pp. 235-237, Album G372

Citing the Hammudid caliph Idris al-`Ali

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Sumaydihids of Almeria (433-484 A.H. / 1042-1091 A.D.)

Almeria became part of the territories of the Taifa of Valencia in 429 A.H. (Ariza-2 p. 130), and
the Amirid `Abd al-`Aziz of Valencia entrusted Almeria to his son `Abd (or `Ubayd) Allah, granting
him the title of al-Nasir (the protector). The latter soon died, and `Abd al-`Aziz then delegated
the government of Almeria to his brother-in-law and minister Ma`n b. Sumadih al-Tuyibi. The Banu
Sumadih belonged to a branch of the Tuyibids, who had been settled in the Upper March (the northern
frontier) of al-Andalus since the beginning of the conquest. Ma`n rebelled against his brother-in-
law and declared his independence, and Almeria became an independent taifa (Ariza-2 p. 134).


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#1.5.7.5.3

Ma`n ben Muhammad ibn Sumadih

Dirham (4.03 g, 25x22mm)

Al-Andalus, no date

Medina 87, Vives 1041, Album 399

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#1.5.7.5.2

Ma`n ben Muhammad ibn Sumadih

Dirham (2.97 g, 16x24mm)

“Bismillah duriba bi [Almeria or Al Andalus]”, no date

Medina 86 or 87, type of Vives 1040, Album 399

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Aftasids of Badajoz (413-487 A.H. / 1022-1094 A.D.)

The Banu al-Aftas were Berbers of the Miknasa tribe who arrived in the Iberian Peninsula
at the time of the Arab conquest of al-Andalus and joined the forces of Tariq ibn Ziyad.
As a result, by the time the civil war began, they were already deeply rooted in the region,
Arabized, and largely assimilated into Andalusi society. Like many others, they claimed a noble Arab
lineage and, in their particular case, asserted a Himyarite origin and affiliation with the Yemeni
tribal branches. They founded the Taifa of Badajoz in 413 AH / 1022 CE (Ariza-2, pp. 135–136).
The last emir of the taifa, ʿUmar al-Mutawakkil, supported Almoravid intervention in Spain and
fought alongside them at the Battle of al-Zallaqa (Sagrajas), which took place within his own
territory on 12 Rajab 479 AH / 23 October 1086 CE. He and his family were killed by the Almoravid
general Sir ibn Abu Bakr in 487 AH / 1095 CE, following a reversal of alliances (EI2, Aftasids).


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#1.5.12.5.2

Al-Mutawakil `ala Allah abu Hafs `Umar

Half Qirat (0.40 g, 8x9 mm)

No mint, no date

Vives 1021, Benito X16, Medina 72, Album 400B

Ex Gaspariño coll.

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#/1.5.12.5.3

Al-Mutawakil `ala Allah abu Hafs `Umar

Dirham (Handusi) (1.44 g, 10x14 mm)

Mint missing (Al-Andalus), Date missing

Vives 1007, Francés 50, 51

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#1.5.12.5.1

Al-Mutawakil `ala Allah abu Hafs `Umar

Dirham (Handusi) (0.95 g, 12x14 mm)

Mint missing (Al-Andalus), Date missing

Vives 1007, Francés 50, 51

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Kingdom of Tortosa (427-453 A.H. / 1036-1061 A.D.)

The Taifa of Tortosa was established by freed servants of al-Mansur `Amir.

Muqatil (427-445 A.H. / 1036-1053 A.D.)

In 431 A.H. / 1039–1040 A.D., the eunuch Muqatil (or Muqabil), one of the freed servants of
al-Mansur ibn Abi `Amir established himself as king in the city of Tortosa. He recognized the
supposed caliph Hisham II and assumed the title Mu`izz al-Dawla (Fortifier of the State),
later adopting, from 438 A.H. / 1046–1047 A.D. onwards, the titles Sayf al-Milla (Sword of the
Community) and/or Sayf al-Mulk (Sword of the Realm). Reflecting the grandeur of his titles, his
court was renowned for its magnificence: “among his governors and secretaries were men such as no
other ruler of his time possessed...”. From 441 A.H. / 1049–1050 A.D., Muqatil continued to
recognize the supposed caliph Hisham II, but ceased to mention him with caliphal title
(amir al-mu´minin - Commander of the Faithful) on his coinage, just as Ahmad I of Zaragoza did at the same date
(Ariza-2, pp. 101–102).


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#1.5.35.1.1

Muqatil

Copper Dirham (1.44 g, 19mm)
with local official Musallam (436 – 440 A.H.) (obv.) and title Sayf al-Milla (rev.),
citing Hisham II (rev.)

Mint missing (Tartusha), date missing

Type of Vives 1273, Album 394

Citing Hisham II with the caliphal title.

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Jahwarids of Cordoba (422-461 A.H. / 1031-1069 A.D.)

The Banu Jahwar were a family of Arab origin, descended from those who had arrived in al-Andalus
during the 2nd century A.H. (8th century A.D.) and were therefore deeply rooted in the country.
Members of this family distinguished themselves as viziers and high-ranking dignitaries at the
Cordoban court. At the time of the collapse of the Caliphate, weary of so much instability and
intrigue, the viziers unanimously decided to expel all the Umayyads from Cordoba,
proclaiming—albeit without the necessary legitimacy—“the complete abolition of the Caliphate,
because it was no longer appropriate.” Although this decision was unanimous,
it was in reality Abu l-Hazm b. Jahwar who orchestrated the expulsion of the Umayyads and whom
the viziers chose to govern Cordoba. Thus, in 422 A.H., Abu l-Hazm b. Jahwar became the
first ruler of the dynasty, without, however, claiming the Caliphate (Ariza-2, pp. 139–140).


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#1.5.10.00.1

Jahwarids of Cordoba

Anonymous Fractional Copper Dirham (0.79g 10mm)
citing `Abd Allah (rev.)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés p.113, Fro.-Med. X.3, Frochoso-3 BY12


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#1.5.10.00.2

Jahwarids of Cordoba

Anonymous Dirham (1.49g 16mm)
citing `Abd Allah (rev.)

Mint missing, date missing

Francés 352, 353, 354 and a picture p.11,
Vives 1397, Medina 118, Frochoso-3 BY8


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`Abbadids of Sevilla (414-484 A.H. / 1023-1091 A.D.)

The `Abbadids were an important Sevillian family of Yemeni Arab origin. They arrived in the
Iberian Peninsula from Syria with the troops in 125 A.H. / 743 A.D. and successfully established
themselves there, attaining a prominent position in both Cordoba and Seville. Almanzor himself
appointed Isma`il b. `Abbad as qadi of Seville (Ariza-2, p. 82).

Al Mu`tadid `Abbad (433-461 A.H. / 1042-1069 A.D.)

`Abbad succeeded his father at the head of the Taifa of Sevilla. He had once been held hostage in
Malaga by the Hammudid caliph Yahya b. `Ali, an episode that contributed to the deep hostility
between the `Abbadids of Sevilla and the Hammudids. It is even said that he kept, for his
satisfaction, the head of Yahya b. `Ali, cleaned, perfumed, and carefully identified by a label
attached to one of its ears. He struck coinage in the name of the supposed Hisham II, presenting
himself on the coins as his hajib (chamberlain). From 439 A.H. his own laqab of Al Mu`tadid bi-Llah
(the supported by God) appeared on his coins (Ariza-2, p. 84).


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#1.5.3.2.1

Al Mu`tadid `Abbad

Dirham (3.48 g, 23 mm)
citing Muhammad (obv.) and Hisham II (rev.)

Al-Andalus 438 AH

Vives 888, Album 402.1

Ex Gaspariño coll.

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Al Mu`tamid Muhammad (461-484 A.H. / 1069-1091 A.D.)

Upon his death in 461 A.H., al-Mu`tadid left to his son Muhammad,
who adopted the honorific surname al-Mu`tamid, the largest and
most powerful of the Taifa kingdoms.


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#1.5.3.3.2

Al Mu`tamid Muhammad

Fractional dinar (0.94 g, 13x14mm)
citing the heir Al Rashid (obv.) and `Abd Allah (rev.)

No mint, no date

Vives 978, Prieto 421e, Album 403A


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#1.5.3.3.1

Al Mu`tamid Muhammad

Copper Dirham (2.49 g, 26mm)
citing al-hajib Siraj al-Dawla (obv.), Ashim (obv.)
and `Abd Allah (rev.)

Al-Andalus, 462 AH

Vives 940, Album 404.1


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Hudids of Zaragoza and Denia (431-503 A.H. / 1039-1110 A.D.)

The Hudids were of Arab origin. They had arrived in the Iberian Peninsula at the time of the
conquest as part of the Palestinian jund (military contingent) (Ariza-2 p. 114).

`Imad al-Dawla Ahmad I (441-475 A.H. / 1049-1083 A.D.)

Ahmad I, ruler of Zaragoza, struck coinage in the name of Hisham II at Zaragoza (Saraqusta),
presenting himself as his hajib (chamberlain) and bearing the laqab `Imad al-Dawla (Pillar of the
State). His omission of the caliphal title (amir al-mu´minin – Commander of the Faithful) from
his coinage, except on one dirham type of 441 A.H. (Vives 1172), reveals a loss of confidence in the
legitimacy of the supposed Hisham II and reduces this legitimizing fiction to the sphere of
spirituality alone (Ariza-2, p. 115).


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#1.5.17.5.1

`Imad al-Dawla Ahmad

Dirham (4.23 g, 22 mm)

Saraqusta, A.H. (4)65

Vives 1202, Medina p. 273, Album 388

Citing Hisham II without the caliphal title.

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#1.5.17.5.2

`Imad al-Dawla Ahmad

Dirham (4.79 g, 21x23 mm)

Saraqusta, Date missing

Vives 1202, Medina p. 273, Album 388

Citing Hisham II without the caliphal title.

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`Imad al-Dawla Mundhir (474-483 A.H. / 1081-1090 A.D.)

In 474 A.H. or 475 A.H., Ahmad I of Zaragoza fell ill and died in the midst of war, while attempting
to seize Valencia with the support of Alfonso VI. Upon his death, the taifa of Zaragoza was once
again divided into two: Zaragoza and the western territories passed to his son Yusuf, while Lleida,
Tortosa, and Denia, together with the coastal territories, fell into the hands of his other son,
Mundir, who, like his father, assumed the title of hajib (chamberlain) and the laqab `Imad al-Dawla
(Pillar of the State). The rivalry between the two brothers dominated the following years, yet
neither succeeded in reunifying the former territories of the vast taifa of Zaragoza (Ariza-2, p. 206).


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#1.5.17.7.1

`Imad al-Dawla Mundhir

Dirham (5.06 g, 22 mm)
citing the heir Sulayman (obv.)

Denia, 475 AH

Vives 1327, Album 392

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Al-Musta`in Ahmad II Sayf al-Dawla (476-503 A.H. / 1083-1110 A.D.)

Al-Musta`in Ahmad Sayf al-Dawla was the grandson of Ahmad I (son of Yusuf).


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#1.5.17.8.1

Al-Musta`in Ahmad II Sayf al-Dawla

dirham (Handusi) (1.54 g, 16x10 mm)

Mint missing, date missing

Type of Vives 1223, Francés 235, Prieto 271

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