Unique Arabic coin of VIII century found in Derbent

Makhachkala, November 21, 2016. Dagestani archaeologists from the Scientific Center RAS have found a unique Arabic coin of the VIII century during the excavations in Derbent. The coin is precious and can tell scientists on the mint acting in the city in that period, the acting chairman of DSC RAS Murtazali Gajiyev says.

"This coin is a copper groat. The fine coinage of the governor of Armenia and Azerbaijan. That time, it was one huge province in the system of the Arab Caliphate. The coin is unique, such findings, we can count on the fingers.", - Gajiyev noted.

As researchers found out, the coin was made in the years 743-744 BC. Several coins of Derbent mint, dated 714-715, 723 BC, had been previously found.
"But this finding extends the range of the excavations, now we know that in 743, the mint still existed in Derbent," – the acting chairman of Dagestan Scientific Center RAS concluded.