AN ancient coin sold yesterday for a record £3.72million.
The Islamic dinar coin, dating back to 723AD, went for nearly twice its pre-auction estimate.
One of just 12 still in existence, it attracted bids from around the world, with the hammer falling at £3.1million.
With fees, the anonymous buyer will pay £3.72million, which is a European record for a coin sold at auction.
Stephen Lloyd, an Islamic coins specialist at London auctioneer Morton & Eden, said: “The remarkable price reflects the great rarity, beauty and historical significance of this fabulous coin.”
The Umayyad coin was made of gold from a mine owned by the Caliph — one of the successors to the Prophet Muhammad.
It is about the size of a £1 coin and inscribed “Mine of the Commander of the Faithful”.