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Marwan II Ibn Muhammad (also known as Marwan ibn Muhammad ibn Marwan), was the fourteenth and last caliph of the Umayyad dynasty. His reign (744–750 CE) marked the end of the Umayyad Caliphate, which was overthrown during his time in power by the Abbasid Revolution. His life and rule were defined by political instability, civil war, and the rise of new forces challenging the Umayyad authority. Key Details of Marwan II's Life and Reign: Early Life and Military Career Born around 688 CE, Marwan II was a member of the Umayyad ruling family. He was appointed governor of Armenia and Azerbaijan in 732 CE, where he gained a reputation as a skilled military leader, particularly for his campaigns against the Byzantine Empire and rebellious groups in the region. His military prowess earned him the title Marwan al-Himar ("Marwan the Ass"), reportedly for his endurance and determination. Accession to the Caliphate Marwan II became caliph in 744 CE after the assassination of Caliph Al-Walid II, during a period of significant internal strife within the Umayyad dynasty. He inherited a fragmented empire facing revolts, tribal divisions, and challenges from within the family and from the non-Arab populations (mawali). Challenges During His Reign Civil War: Marwan II's rule was marred by internal conflict, including battles against rival claimants to the throne, such as Sulayman ibn Hisham and other members of the Umayyad family. Tribal divisions between the northern Arab (Qays) and southern Arab (Yaman) factions exacerbated the unrest. Abbasid Revolution: The most significant challenge came from the Abbasids, a rival faction claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad’s uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib. The Abbasid forces, led by Abu Muslim, rallied discontented Persians, Arabs, and other groups, especially in Khorasan, to overthrow the Umayyads. Downfall and Death The decisive blow to Marwan II's reign came at the Battle of the Zab (750 CE), where his forces were defeated by the Abbasids. Following the battle, Marwan fled to Egypt but was eventually captured and killed in Fustat (Old Cairo) in 750 CE. His death marked the end of the Umayyad Caliphate in the East. Legacy The Umayyads were replaced by the Abbasid Caliphate, which established a new capital in Baghdad and ushered in a different era of Islamic rule. A branch of the Umayyad family survived in Al-Andalus (Spain), where they established the Umayyad Emirate of Cordoba in 756 CE, later becoming the Caliphate of Cordoba. Marwan II’s reign is often viewed as a transitional period that highlighted the weaknesses of the Umayyad administration, such as the over-reliance on Arab tribal elites and the alienation of non-Arab Muslims, which contributed to the dynasty's downfall.

Marwan II, The Last Umayyad Caliph, 747 AD

£250.00

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Description

Umayyad Silver Dirham — Caliph Marwan II — Wasit, 130 AH / 747 AD

House of Emirates® in London is thrilled to offer its elite clientele this extraordinary Umayyad silver dirham of Caliph Marwan II, struck at the important Islamic mint of Wasit in 130 AH / 747 AD. Approximately 1,300 years old, this remarkable historical treasure originates from the final years of the Umayyad Caliphate and was issued under the reign of its final caliph in the eastern Islamic world.

Weighing 2.71 grams and measuring approximately 23 mm in diameter, this silver dirham survives in Very Fine condition, preserving the elegant calligraphy and distinctive design characteristic of early Islamic coinage. Unlike later Islamic coinage that often incorporated figural imagery, Umayyad dirhams were primarily defined by their inscriptions, reflecting the religious and political identity of the rapidly expanding Islamic state. The Wasit mint was one of the most important monetary centres of the Umayyad Caliphate, making a dirham struck there during Marwan II’s reign a particularly evocative surviving witness to the final chapter of Umayyad monetary history.

Marwan II, who ruled from 744 to 750 AD, was the fourteenth and final Umayyad caliph of the eastern Islamic Caliphate. Born around 688 AD, he belonged to the ruling Umayyad dynasty and established his reputation initially through his military career. In 732 AD, he was appointed governor of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where he conducted military campaigns and developed a reputation for endurance and determination. His military character later earned him the epithet Marwan al-Himar, commonly translated as “Marwan the Ass.”

Marwan II ascended to the caliphate in 744 AD, inheriting an empire already suffering from intense political and tribal divisions. His reign unfolded during one of the most turbulent periods in early Islamic history. Rival claimants within the Umayyad family challenged his authority, while divisions between major Arab tribal factions further weakened the political cohesion of the caliphate. At the same time, opposition to Umayyad rule was growing in the eastern provinces, particularly in Khorasan, where the Abbasid movement was gaining increasing support.

The decisive confrontation came in 750 AD at the Battle of the Zab, where Marwan II’s forces were defeated by the Abbasid army. The defeat brought the Umayyad Caliphate in the East to an end. Marwan fled southward into Egypt, where he was eventually captured and killed at Fustat in 750 AD. His death marked the conclusion of approximately ninety years of Umayyad rule in the eastern Islamic world and the beginning of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Yet the story of the Umayyads did not end entirely with Marwan II. A surviving member of the dynasty, Abd al-Rahman I, escaped the Abbasid purge and established Umayyad rule in Al-Andalus in 756 AD, laying the foundations for the later Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba. Thus, this modest silver dirham connects directly to one of the great turning points in Islamic history: the transformation from Umayyad to Abbasid political authority.

For the discerning investor in ancient Islamic treasures, this 130 AH / 747 AD Umayyad silver dirham represents far more than precious metal. It is a tangible survivor from the final years of one of history’s most influential dynasties, struck during the reign of the last Umayyad caliph and at one of the empire’s principal mints. Its age, historical context, attribution to Marwan II, and association with the final chapter of Umayyad rule make it an exceptional addition to a portfolio of ancient treasures or a royal-class gift for someone special.

Coin Specifications

Dynasty: Umayyad Caliphate
Ruler: Caliph Marwan II
Date: 130 AH / 747 AD
Mint: Wasit
Metal: Silver
Weight: 2.71 g
Diameter: 23 mm
Condition: Very Fine
Age: Approximately 1,300 years

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