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Dating Middle Eastern Antique Copper

Deciding if a piece of copper is old or new, or how old, is clearly simplified if a date is inscribed on the copper piece, many times this is not the case but for those few lucky times you'll find a date, this article should help you more closely determine the age of the piece.

The majority of dates found are written in Arabic numbers. Some were written in Western numbers (such as "1847"), because they were produced by, or for, Greeks or Armenians.

If arabic numbers are used, several problems exist for the collector. First Arabic numbers must be transcribed into western numbers. Secondly, the resulting transcribed year will be confusing as the Moslem year is based on the lunar calendar (354 days divided into twelve months)rather than the solar calendar which western nations use. Finally, the first moslem year began with Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622, thus creating a vast gap between Moslem and Christian dates.

The following chart and formulas will explain how to transcribe accurately the Arabic numeral into western ones and how to compute the Christian year which the Arabic date represents.

To calculate the Christian year, first change the Arabic numbers in to western, using the conversion chart above(for example, 1258) then insert that western number into this formula:

(Moslem Year - Moslem Year/33)+ 622 = Christian Year

For Example:

(1258 - 1258/33) + 622 = Christian Year

(1258 - 38) + 622 = 1842

On copper pieces bearing "Christian" inscriptions, that is inscriptions in languages such as Greek or Aramaic, the accompanying date, even though Arabic dates does not require conversion to the Arabic lunar calendar.

Remember, not all old copper is dated, and not all dated copper is old. Dates can be added. A trained eye plus experience aids judgement. Most copper was not dated or inscribed, but when dates were added, they were usually reserved for signifigant pieces such as large trays, plates and special serving bowls. Cooking ware was rarely dated.



An inscription identifying the maker of this piece. The Arabic date is 1258 (upper right hand corner of inscription), the Christian year 1842.

By John H. Taylor