Dinar of al-Mutawakkil

Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Hud founded the kingdom of Murcia, in 625 AH (AD 1227), rebelling against the Almohad Empire that began to decline after the defeat in the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212). This kingdom, which survived more than forty years and came to dominate much of Andalusia, was the last attempt to create a great independent state in al-Andalus. This dinar, minted just a year after the proclamation of Muhammad as Amir al-muslimin (‘Prince of the Muslims’), is a real statement of intent. In its legends, firstly we find the titles and nicknames of the emir, who receives the name al-Mutawakkil (‘the one who trusts in God’) and ‘the one who supports himself’. Although its weight and dimensions were adapted to the Almohad monetary system so that it could be used commercially, it was able to express the opposition to the central power through its typology – using the Almoravid circular border – and legend that recognised the Abbasid caliph of Baghdad as the supreme authority. This resulted in a mission being sent to show the caliph’s appreciation, to legitimise the sovereignty of the Murcian kingdom.