Hi, all. Here is another very tiny 1/6
Dirham weight with an incomplete
inscription in two lines, in a circular punch. It is beautifully preserved with a black
patina (and difficult to photograph). I am adding a mirror image in case it has been stamped in
reverse. I have been studying Richard
Plant's book on Arabic Coins, but I am
still at a loss beyond the very basics. Is it correct to call these
Kufic? I know there is not much to go on, but any ideas or corrections as to meaning and date would be appreciated.
Holland's book and article illustrate a number of inscribed
weights, mostly small sizes, but I could not match any of them to this particular one. Thanks, again, Jimi
Berlin (V-drome).
BCC BW26
Islamic Bronze
WeightCaesarea Maritima 1/6 Dirhem
Uncertain Date
Obv: Incomplete Arabic
inscription in two lines, stamped in
relief in a circular
border within an
incuse circular punch-mark.
Rev: Blank. Flat,
rhombic prism cut from a thin sheet of metal.
No exact parallels to this
inscription were identified in
Holland,
"
Weights and Weight-Like Objects from
Caesarea Maritima", ch.8,
or in
Holland, "
Islamic Bronze
Weights from
Caesarea Maritima,
ANSMN 31 (1986)".
AE 7.0 x 5.0 x 1.5mm. Wt: 0.47gm.
Surface find,
Caesarea Maritima, 1977
Edit: The reversed photo could (possibly???) show the start of the
inscription معير واف ,
(maeir waf) which translates as "a
complete standard".
cf. BCC BW7 and
Holland,
ANSMN 31 (1986) #448
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=103167