1 Quirat - Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn al-Hadjam

Historical Context: This silver Quirat was issued during the tumultuous Second Taifa period (c. 1145-1150) in Al-Andalus, a time of profound political fragmentation following the Almoravid decline. Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn al-Hadjam, a local strongman or sayyid, asserted control over the Badajoz region (Arabic: Batalyaws). His coinage, though modest, served as a crucial assertion of sovereignty and legitimacy in a highly contested Iberian landscape.

Artistry: The design adheres to established Al-Andalusian Islamic numismatic conventions, characterized by its aniconic nature and elegant Arabic calligraphy. While the engraver remains anonymous, the stylistic school emphasizes clarity and balance in the epigraphic content. The obverse typically features the ruler's name and titles; the reverse displays religious formulas, like the Shahada, often with the mint name, Batalyaws, and date. The compact module necessitates concise text arrangement.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 0.89 grams of silver, this Quirat represents a small fraction, typical of denominations issued by localized authorities. The unrecorded diameter suggests highly variable flan size, common for this period. For grading, high-points focus on legibility of central inscriptions, particularly the ruler's name and religious declarations. Technical strike qualities often exhibit irregularities: off-center strikes, minor flan cracks, or flatness due to hurried production and less sophisticated minting techniques, as referenced by Vives#1987.