Sicily

Golden coin
tari, period of the County
(Roger I and Roger II)

1073-1127 A.D. – 521 A.H..

 

    Gold coin (quarter dinar, called the taŕ) struck in Sicily at the time of the count (1073-1127 AD; 465-521 of the Hegira). On the obverse, the coin is struck with the Tau and on the reverse, in the field, with a traditional invocation to Allah. This type marks a new development of the Tau (Greek cross), perhaps more acceptable than the Latin cross to the Moslem subjects of the Norman count just after the conquest. The T is completed with a triangular motif at the base and cantoned with two points (or bezants).

Dimensions of the object
Diameter mm 13 ; Weight gr. 0,84

Bibliography
- "L'età normanna e sveva in Sicilia", Catalogo della mostra storico-documentaria e bibliografica. Organizzata dall' Assemblea Regionale Siciliana nel Palazzo dei Normanni a Palermo, 1994 (Monete serie III a cura di M. De Luca).
- B. La Gumina "Catalogo delle monete arabe esistenti nella Biblioteca Comunale di Palermo" Palermo, 1892

Location
Palerme, Biblioteca Comunale

Photography
G.  Cappellani