Norman-period small coin · star and Arabic legends

Early Norman period attributed; undated · Early Norman-period attribution; issuer unknown

The design combines a central star with Arabic writing and, on some examples, small rings at the sides. Brown’s group C(iii) has nine National Museum examples and four private-hoard examples. It is distinct from the neighbouring group carrying the name Roger.

Technical specifications

Composition
Silver / debased silver
Weight
Unknown / not verified
Diameter
Unknown / not verified
Thickness
Unknown / not verified
Fineness
Unknown / not verified
Total mintage
Unknown / not verified
Edge
Unknown / not verified
Mint
Unknown / not verified
Obverse
Central star with Arabic legends; some examples have side annulets
Reverse
Unknown / not verified
Inscriptions
Unknown / not verified
Colour
Unknown / not verified
Serial format
Unknown / not verified

The source compares this group with Spinelli, table IV, nos 1–8. No individual weight, diameter, mint or ruler is supplied. The Arabic diagram has not been independently transcribed, and the OCR is not used as a verified inscription.

Brown examined the National Museum group donated by Alfredo Caruana Gatt in 1908 and a related private group. Their original findspots are unrecorded. The author regarded them as probable Maltese hoards, not securely documented excavations. Their contents extend from the 1030s to around the second quarter of the twelfth century. This does not date every individual design to that whole interval.

Dating and classification

The hoard association and broad historical attribution do not provide an exact issue year. No annual minting sequence or local Maltese mint is inferred.

Sources

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