Overview: The Fals was a small copper coin issued by the Umayyad Caliphate. It was a part of the standard circulation coins used during the reign of the Umayyads, between the years 696 and 750 AD. The Fals had a value of 1/60th of a Dinar, and it was primarily used for smaller transactions in the early Islamic world.
Issuing Authority: The Umayyad Caliphate, the first major Islamic caliphate that ruled from 661 to 750 AD, was the issuer of the Fals. The Umayyads had a strong monetary system, which included both gold and silver coins, as well as copper coins like the Fals. These coins were minted and circulated widely across the vast territories of the Umayyad Empire.
Composition and Features: The Fals was made of copper and weighed approximately 4.01 grams. Its round shape was irregular, and it was hammered, which was a common technique for minting coins during this era. While the Fals was initially part of the Islamic currency system, it was eventually demonetized as the caliphate and its monetary practices evolved over time.
Significance and Demonetization: The Fals played an important role in the daily economy of the early Islamic Empire, especially for small transactions. However, it was demonetized and eventually discontinued after the Umayyad period, as the economic structure of the Islamic world changed and the monetary system became more unified and standardized.