Damascus, Syria. The gold coins of Abd al-Malik depict Abd al-Malik, the most important Muslim leader since Muhammad. He had such terrible breath that he was called “the fly killer.” He was the ninth caliph. His depiction on coins is the first known depiction of a Muslim. Damascus had been conquered by Muslims in 635, and the first Islamic Empire had been created. A single caliphate recognized by all Muslims was a rare thing in history, but it still holds a fascination in the Islamic world.
