Fatwa ID: 08388

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi

Question:

Rare U.K coins such as 50p and £1 coins have become very valuable online. Selling for hundreds and thousands of pounds.

The coins as you may have a look on Google images have the sideways face of the queen on one side of the coin. And the other side may have an image of a lion, rabbit or Britannia sitting sideways. 

I’d like to know if we are allowed to sell these rare coins. As I have done a Google search which says it may be allowed, but this has caused me confusion as these are human and animals printed on the coins which have eyes, which makes me believe we could never sell these coins. So could you please clarify if we can or can’t sell these coins.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

When a coin has ceased to be used as legal tender, and is now considered a collectible or antique, it can be sold based on its market value, not just its face value. This is considered a bā’i‘al-sil‘ah (sale of merchandise), not ṣarf (money exchange).

Islam prohibits the drawing or making of images of animate beings, especially with full features including eyes, in order to prevent idolatry and imitation of Allah’s creation.

However, scholars differentiate between creating such images and possessing items that incidentally contain such images — especially when those items have other practical or financial functions, like money or official documents.

Furthermore, modern scholars and muftis have permitted using and trading in currency and stamps that carry such images when the image is not the primary purpose, and when there is no intent to glorify the image.

Such as the Queen or animals. These images are not created by the seller and are not being glorified. The coins are being sold as collectibles, not for religious or artistic veneration. The value is determined by rarity, not by the face value of the coin.

This ruling is supported by classical texts such as Fatāwā al-Hindiyyah, Radd al-Muḥtār, and contemporary Hanafi fatwas.

Advice: If you are dealing in such coins, ensure your intention is clean, and you are not encouraging or promoting taswīr unnecessarily. Avoid using or displaying such images as decoration or art in the home.

References:

أَوْ مَمْحُوَّةَ عُضْوٍ لَا تَعِيشُ بِدُونِهِ (أَوْ لِغَيْرِ ذِي رُوحٍ لَا) يُكْرَهُ لِأَنَّهَا لَا تُعْبَدُ

Rad al Muhtar Vol 1 Pg 649 Maktaba Shamila

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham