Civilization: Umayyad Caliphate
Ruler: Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik
Mint: Wasit
Year: 740 AD
Composition: Silver
Denomination: Dirham
Diameter: 26.0mm
Weight: 2.58g
Reference: Album 137

Obverse
In center field: لا اله الا الله وحده لا شرك له ("There is no diety except Allah alone. He has no equal"). In margin: بسم الله ضرب هذا الدرهم بواسط في سنة مئة واثنين وعشرين ("In the name of Allah, this dirham was struck in Wasit in the year one hundred and twenty-two").

Reverse
In center field: الله احد الله الصمد لم يلد و لم يولد و ل يكن له كفوا احد ("Allah is One, Allah is the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is begotten, and there is none comparable to Him."). In margin: محمد رسول الله ارسله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله ولو كره المشركون ("Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. He sent him with guidance and the true religion to make it prevail over all religions even if the polytheists abhor it.")

Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik, who ruled from 724 to 743 CE, presided over the vast Umayyad Caliphate during a period of both consolidation and growing unrest. Known for his administrative skill, Hisham focused on strengthening the central authority of the caliphate. He improved infrastructure, including roads, canals, and postal networks, which enhanced governance and communication across the empire. His fiscal policies were cautious, aiming to stabilize the economy and replenish state resources after years of military campaigns. By 122 AH (740 CE), Hisham faced significant challenges. In North Africa, the Berber revolts were escalating into a major crisis, fueled by resentment over heavy taxation and discriminatory treatment under Arab governors. These uprisings threatened the stability of the western provinces and strained Umayyad resources. On the Byzantine front, Hisham continued campaigns to defend and expand the empire's borders, engaging in frequent skirmishes, though efforts to conquer Constantinople had failed earlier in his reign. Meanwhile, in the eastern provinces, the Umayyads maintained control but faced rising discontent from non-Arab Muslim populations who sought greater equality under Islamic rule. Despite these challenges, Hisham's reign marked the height of Umayyad power and administrative sophistication, though the strains of rebellion and disunity foreshadowed the eventual decline of the dynasty.

The city of Wasit, where the dirham was struck in 122 AH, was a major administrative and military center of the Umayyad Caliphate. Established by al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf in the late 7th century, Wasit was strategically located in southern Iraq, near the Tigris River, between the cities of Basra and Kufa. Its name, which means "middle" or "central," reflects its geographic and strategic position as a key nexus connecting the trade and communication routes of the region. Wasit served as a garrison city and administrative hub, hosting a significant number of Arab soldiers and officials who ensured control over Iraq and its surrounding provinces. The fertile lands around Wasit supported a strong agricultural economy, while the city itself facilitated trade between Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, and further west. By 122 AH, Wasit was a thriving urban center, symbolizing the economic and strategic priorities of the Umayyad state in Iraq and its role as a base of power for the caliphate’s administration and military activities.