gems, gold, silver, activation analysis, ICP-MS, Muslim, coins

The analysis of numerous gold coins from the Arab Empire (7th–12th century AD), using nuclear activation techniques and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with a UV laser (ICP-MS), revealed that diverse gold sources were employed across different regions and time periods; this study aims to trace gold circulation in Near and Middle Eastern mints and compare minting policies with those in North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and Sicily; the identification of distinct gold ores via trace elements pointed to the recycling of ancient coins and, after AD 750, the Empire-wide use of new gold sources—classified as Egyptian type, North Eastern type, and West African type—while limited analyses of silver coins from the same contexts similarly indicated a shift in ore supply after AD 750.