Customer Reviews

A Checklist of Islamic Coins

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those who can read the inscriptions, this book has a wealth of information about the many types of Islamic coins and their issuers. A twelve page introduction provides an overview. But there are no photographs and no transcriptions of the Arabic writing. The book is, in the author's own words, "altogether worthless as an identification guide...." So if you happen to have some of those coins with mysterious writing on both sides and are just looking for help identifying them, don't waste your money here.

This book is designed for the oriental numismatist that has accomplished a basic understanding of kufic, naskh, and nastaliq. The price references are most valuable. Novice Islamic coin collectors should master Plant, ARABIC COINS AND HOW TO READ THEM or Ballantyne, PERSIAN CALLIGRAPHY.

This book contains no photographs, no inscriptions in Arabic script (just sort of Latin letters transliteration, so one does not need any Qufic or Nastaliq understanding for this booklet), no translations, of course, no prices, nothing, but dry and very brief verbal description of hundreds of 'virtual' coins. By its structure and contents the book resembles an inventary journal of a warehouse. I have no guess how this book can be helpful to anybody, novice or experienced...
I also really cannot comprehend how this book could get 5-star reviews from some other reviewers - I would seriously question the integrity of their judgement!
IMHO, this book is a complete waste of money and is good at most for paper recycling.