SAQŪT IBN MUḤAMMAD, INDEPENDENT RULER OF CEUTA AS VIEWED THROUGH HIS COINS (434-471H/1042 -1078AD) ALONG WITH PUBLISHING NEW FIVE COINS

This study focuses on the coins of the Barghūwāṭī ruler of Ceuta, al-Ḥājib Saqūt ibn Muḥammad, (434–471H/1042–1078AD),to extract authentic information about his enigmatic personality and utilizes his coinage alongside the scattered details recorded in historical sources and relevant references. This study investigates Saqūt’s beliefs, which are a controversial topic in historical narratives.His coins provide compelling evidence to clarify these beliefs, particularly through inscribing the two Shahadas of Islam and the message of Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH). Consequently, his coins challenge claims linking him to the beliefs of Ṣāliḥ ibn Ṭarif and refute associations with Shi’ite ideology. In addition to his coins, multiple historical sources support this suggestion. Furthermore, this study addresses the disagreement among historians regarding the correct spelling of his name, including numismatists’ misreading of that name and certain unique titles on his coins. This article also presents a new reading of his name, which appears on nearly all his coins. This study explains the circumstances surrounding these issues, examining their dates and revising the previously known date range. The paper also discusses the characteristics of these issues and the distinctive titles that appear on them, noting that some titles reflect Andalusian influences while others show Eastern influences. Additionally, it publishes five new pieces preserved in the American Numismatic Society.