Name of Object:

Mardhouf al-Qawasim

Other name of the Object (second name):

Coin used by the Qawasim rulers of the lower Gulf region in the AH 13th century / AD 19th century

Name in original language:

Mardhouf al-Qawasim

Location:

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Sharjah)

Holding Institution:

Sharjah Heritage Museum / Sharjah Museums Department

 About Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah

Date of Object:

Hegira 13th century / AD 19th century

Author:

Unknown

Inventory Number:

SM2004-850

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Copper alloy

Dimensions:

Diameter 18 mm

Provenance:

Sharjah Emirate

Description:

This rare copper alloy coin, known as 'Madhrouf Al Qawasim and weighing around 6.5 grams in weight, was minted in the trading port of Lanja (Linga) on the Persian coast of the Gulf in 1247 H/ 1831 CE. In the 12th/18th and early 13th/ early 19th century, Lanja belonged to the extensive territories on both sides of the Gulf held by the Al Qawasim, and coins like this were used throughout the regions ruled by the Qawasim family at the time, including their main centres in Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah, Kalba, Khor Fakkan and Diba.

Type of Object

Copper alloy coin

Citation of this web page:

Ulrike al-Khamis "Mardhouf al-Qawasim" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;ua;52;en

Prepared by: Ulrike Al-Khamis

MWNF Working Number: UA 053