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Auction: 355 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at NY INC, Grand Hyatt
Lot: 312

Spain. Castile. Alfonso VIII Morabetino (AH 570-615; 1158-1214 AD), AV Dinar or Maravedi, 3.84g, Toledo, dated 1249 Safar era (1211), with cross above obverse legend (AB. 153.24; V. 2037 var), extremely fine and rare

provenance
Cayon y Casten 116
ex. Collection of Dr. Elmano Costa.
Lusitania / NUMISMA auctions - Lisboa Dec. 2010

Alfonso VI seized Toledo from the Dhu'l-Nunid Islamic dynasty on 25th May 1085. The move to oust Islamic influence from Spain continued during the reign of Alfonso VIII. He made an alliance with the Christian kingdoms of Navarre, León, Portugal, and Aragon against the Almohads of North Africa. The decisive Battle of the Navas de Tolosa in 1212 saw the end of the Caliphate in this region.
Nevertheless, this coin, struck just one year before this battle, is remarkable for being closely modelled on the Islamic coinage of the Almohads of Spain. The only 'Christian' features being the cross above the obverse legend and the Latin letters 'ALF' (for Alfonso) below this.