Coin Umayyad Caliphate Cordoba, al-Hakam II - Silver Dirham, Shahid - 357 AH (966 / 967) Madinat Al-Zahara

Cites Shahid on the obverse.

This silver dirham was struck in 356 AH, corresponding to the years 966?967 of the Christian era, during the reign of Caliph al-Hakam II, within the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba.

The issue is attributed to the mint of Madinat al-Zahra, the palatial city founded by Abd al-Rahman III near Córdoba. A major administrative and political centre of the caliphate, Madinat al-Zahra also housed a mint whose issues are today well identified by numismatists.

Al-Hakam II, son and successor of Abd al-Rahman III, reigned from 961 to 976. His rule was characterised by great political stability, sustained economic prosperity and exceptional cultural influence. A patron of the arts and sciences, he considerably enriched the caliphate's libraries and made Córdoba one of the leading intellectual centres of the Mediterranean world. On the diplomatic and military front, he maintained Umayyad influence against the Christian kingdoms of northern Iberia while continuing the rivalry with the Fatimid Caliphate of North Africa for control of trade routes and political influence in the Maghreb.

During his reign, Madinat al-Zahra remained one of the most brilliant manifestations of Umayyad power. The city retained its role as a caliphal residence and administrative centre until the fitna crisis that broke out at the beginning of the 11th century. It was then progressively abandoned following the destruction caused by the civil wars that led to the collapse of the Caliphate of Córdoba.