I found this metal detecting in Spain over 30 years ago and still know almost nothing about it. About all I know is it is a coin from the Moors (Islamic) in Spain it is possibly a billon Dirham and weighs 3.6 grams and 24mm. Can anyone help me attributing it ? Here is a link to Coinweek with a write up on the Moors. al-Andalus: Coinage of Islamic Spain (coinweek.com)
I don't know more about the coin than you do but I will say I like the coin in its partially-cleaned condition. It has very nice patina and eye appeal with just the right amount of soil. As such, I hope you will keep the coin as-is in its current state.
Calligraphy is not the prettiest unfortunately (and this is far west from my comfort zone). On the right in the center is the Islamic declaration of faith. From what i can make out of the left center text i think this coin was issued in the name of al-mahdi Muhammad of the Hammudids of Malaga.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out on this @THCoins I found one like what you described its legends look like they might match. Here is a pic of it. Muhammad Ibn Idris AL-MAHDI. Hammudids (Taifa of Málaga) Dirham. AH 441 Al-Andalus mint. Cat: vives 861 - Prieto 104b Bronze (Æ) 3,2g - 24mm.
@bcuda, that's a Really impressive example. Yep, it's as billon dirham as anyone needs. Haven't tried researching it (knowing exactly Zero Arabic, I have to 'wing it'), but the level of debasement strongly suggests that it's a later issue of one of the taifas (post-Caliphate), 11th c. CE, likely a later one, in range of the period of, for instance, El Cid. ......Gosh Golly, I really love it.... For researching Andalusian coins without the benefit of Arabic, the best help I've gotten is from this site: http://www.andalustonegawa.50g.com/ It routinely cites two of the better references, has pretty good pictures, and is remarkably comprehensive for what it is.