Activists from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS announced the introduction of its own currency. The militant group has already begun minting coins from gold, silver, and copper resembling the original Islamic dinars. The news did not come as a surprise as ISIS stated last November that it would launch its own currency in areas under its control. Pictures posted on social media show gold sovereigns bearing seven wheat stalks mentioned in the Quran, the world map, and the ISIS motto. One gold dinar is valued at $139 (£89). The design is borrowed from the original dinar coins used during the Caliphate of Uthman in 634 CE. The wealthiest terrorist organization in the world earns most of its money from sales of oil produced on the captured areas. In addition, ISIS also gets several million dollars a day from donors, plunder, extortion, bank robberies, ransom payments, and other illegal activities. Importantly, ISIS recruits citizens of France, the UK, Germany, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada, and Russia. Most of them will hardly leave the militant army. Even in case they manage to escape, former gunmen are considered to be terrorists in their own countries. Nowadays, the unrecognized self-declared caliphate has seized about 40% of Iraq and 50% of Syria.
