HATAY ARKEOLOJİ MÜZESİNDE BULUNAN ABBASİ HALİFELERİNE AİT ALTIN SİKKELER
GOLD COINS OF THE ABBASID CALIPHS AT THE HATAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Summary/Abstract: The Abbasid State, which ruled from 749 to 1258 CE, was the longest-lived state of the Middle Ages and pioneered many subsequent Islamic states politically, religiously, and economically. The Abbasid State, which ushered in the golden age of Islam in the Middle Ages, transformed the Mediterranean into an Arabian lake. Antioch, within the Abbasid borders, became a military and commercial city due to its strategic location. Historical sources indicate that the Abbasids hosted approximately one thousand ships at Antioch's ports in the 9th century for Mediterranean trade. This has made the region particularly rich in Islamic artifacts. The Hatay Archaeological Museum houses numerous artifacts from the Islamic period, and coins hold a significant place among these artifacts. Indeed, based on coins from the Abbasid period recorded in the museum's inventory, it appears that an important mint existed in Antioch, where silver coins were minted. Furthermore, these coins serve as historical documents, providing information about the Caliph of the time, the date of his accession to the throne, his viziers, heirs, and so on. The museum's inventory includes a total of 95 gold coins believed to have been minted during the Abbasid period. While the coins are not identical, 13 gold coins in good condition and with more distinctive features have been included in this study. One, two, or three examples were taken from each caliph's period. These coins registered in the museum's inventory have been presented and evaluated chronologically.

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