Umayyad Dirham (Minted in Arminiya, 97 AH) – Reign of Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik
<p>Armenia formed an advanced frontier on the Umayyad caliphate's northern front, where field military duties intertwined with the financial administration of its rugged mountain provinces.</p><p>This dirham was struck in 97 AH at the start of Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik's reign, to cover the financial needs of stationed armies and pay for local administration.</p><p>This issue reveals the importance of silver coinage in cementing the Umayyad state's political and military hold on its difficult northern border, securing its economic stability.</p>
97 AH