Coins are archaeological sources for studying the history of the Arabian Peninsula before Islam.

Abstract

This study aims at discussing the commonly used coins by the Arab kingdom in the pre-Islam period of the Arab peninsula. This is due to the fact that these coins are one of the most important archaeological sources to rely on for the study of the history of Pre-Islam period of the Arab peninsula. This study will recognise the most fundament ancientArab Kingdoms which issued their special coinslike the kingdom of Qatban ،Main ،Saba and others. Furthermore، that study will demonstrate how those kingdoms are influenced by coins of other civilisations such as the Greek civilization. The study will also identify the names of the coins of the ancient Arab Kingdoms like Balat، HaiiAleem ، Saba and Kibit in the kingdom of Qatban and Haratheah in the Nabateans (Al-Anbat). Besides، the main cities and centres which had issued coins like Hajar city، the capital of Qatban، Sirwah ، Ma’rib in the Saba Kingdom and Petra City the capital of Al-Anbat. Finally، the study will demonstrateillustrative shapes of coins and the possibility of how to benefit from them in the study of the history of Pre Islam Arab Kingdoms. The Study has been concluded by the following findings: 1-Ancient Arabic coins had been affected by Greek coins at first، and then by the Roman ones. 2-The study emphasis that there were commercial relations between the Arab Peninsula and the neighbouring areas through these coins. 3-The recognition of many names of governors and Kings who ruled the ancient Arabic Kingdoms.