This is a comprehensive survey of the coinage of Syria and Palestine during the first 50 years of Islamic rule in the 7th Century CE. The book includes studies of the dies from the Baalbek mint and the unusual iconography of coins from Jerusalem and Yubna.

This illustrated handbook presents a concise history of the development of the coinage of the early Arab caliphate in the seventh century. The historical introduction, which includes descriptions of all the basic types, is followed by a summary catalogue of the recently acquired collection of Arab-Byzantine coins at Dumbarton Oaks.

The growing popularity of the Byzantine series amongst coin collectors is a recent phenomenon which prompts enquiry into what may have brought it about. Undoubtedly there is an element of investment value as coins can be both works of art and antiques which, under modern conditions it seems, often prove more attractive to investors--great and small--than market stocks and shares. The Byzantine series provides a prolific gold coinage with many rarities and some outstanding works of art, although little so obviously attractive to the investor or art collector as the Greek or even the Roman Imperial and English Hammered series have done. -- Pg. 11.