Umayyad Caliphate. Uncertain period (post-reform), circa AH 80s / CE 700s. Fals (Bronze, 23 mm, 4.23 g, 12 h), Anbulus (probably Nablus), no date. Within triple circular border, in three lines: lā ilāha / illā Allāh / waḥdahū (‘There is no deity / except God / alone’ in Arabic). Rev. Central field, in three lines: Muḥammad / rasūl / Allāh (‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God’ in Arabic), with pellets to either side of Allāh; in margin: bi-sm Allāh ḍuriba hādhā al-fals bi-Anbulus (‘In the name of God, this fals was struck at Anbulus’ in Arabic). Album A170. Jeselsohn 172. Miles, Rare Islamic Coins 98. SNA Tübingen IVa, 255-256. Exceedingly rare. Cleaned and holed, otherwise, very fine.



The mint-name on this exceedingly rare issue is written Anbulus. Its identification has long been debated, with earlier interpretations connecting it either with Nablus or with Bāniyās. The current consensus favors Nablus, probably reflecting a local or engraver’s rendering of the city’s name.

The preservation of the mint-name is particularly significant, making the present specimen, with its readable mint formula and preserved central details, an important representative of this enigmatic mint.