ISLAMIC. Circa AH 2nd-4th century / AD 8th-10th century. Seal (Lead, 18 mm, 4.07 g, 12 h), 12 dirhams jizya tax seal, [2]x5 AH = AD 820-908. In three lines: … ibn … / amīr al-muʾ/ minīn (‘… son of … Commander of the Faithful’ in Arabic); Marginal legend mostly off flan. Rev. In two lines: ithnā ʿashar (‘twelve’ in Arabic); tamgha below; Margin: … sana khams … (‘… year five …’ in Arabic). A rare and dated jizya tax seal with clear denomination and attractive and well-executed tamgha. Earthen deposits and parts of the legend off flan, otherwise, about very fine.


This seal belongs to the well-attested group of early Islamic fiscal seals recording the amount of ithnā ʿashar (twelve) dirhams, identifying it as part of the jizya taxation system. As described in historical sources, jizya was commonly assessed in three standardized tiers of twelve, twenty-four, and forty-eight dirhams according to economic status. The present example therefore represents the lowest tier, associated with individuals of more modest means.

Particularly noteworthy is the presence of a carefully executed tamgha beneath the reverse inscription. The combination of a clear denomination, partial date, and distinctive tamgha makes it a highly interesting seal.