Convert middle eastern mithqal to kilogram with confidence
1 mithqal x 0.00425 = 0.00425 kg
Ever handled an ancient Islamic gold coin? Then you've touched history literally weighted in mithqals. This traditional unit carried more than precious metals, it carried entire economies. Our converter bridges that historical gap, letting you swap between middle eastern mithqals and kilograms faster than a medieval merchant could count dinars.
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Unitse xplained
What is a middle eastern mithqal (mithqal)?
Description: A historic weight unit from Islamic civilizations, primarily used for precious metals and gemstones
Symbol: None standardized
Common uses: Gold/silver trading, religious donations, apothecary measurements
Definition: 1 mithqal = 4.25 grams (modern standardized value)
What is a kilogram (kg)?
Description: Base SI unit of mass since 1795
Symbol: kg
Common uses: Global trade, scientific research, everyday measurements
Definition: Mass of the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK) kept near Paris
Conversion formula
Kilograms = Mithqals × 0.00425
Mithqals = Kilograms ÷ 0.00425
Example calculations
- Converting 15 mithqals to kg:
15 × 0.00425 = 0.06375 kg - Converting 2.5 kg to mithqals:
2.5 ÷ 0.00425 ≈ 588.235 mithqals
Conversion tables
Mithqal to kilogram
| Mithqal | Kilogram |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.00425 |
| 5 | 0.02125 |
| 10 | 0.0425 |
| 50 | 0.2125 |
| 100 | 0.425 |
| 500 | 2.125 |
| 1000 | 4.25 |
Kilogram to mithqal
| Kilogram | Mithqal |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | ≈23.5294 |
| 0.5 | ≈117.647 |
| 1 | ≈235.294 |
| 5 | ≈1,176.47 |
| 10 | ≈2,352.94 |
| 50 | ≈11,764.7 |
Historical background
The mithqal's story begins in 7th century Arabia, where it served as the weight standard for Islamic gold dinars. Caliph Abd al-Malik standardized it in 696 CE, creating what numismatists call "the dollar of the Middle Ages." Interestingly, medieval merchants often tested purity by biting coins. A practice that actually worked because pure gold is soft.
Through the Silk Road era, mithqal values fluctuated like modern crypto. Cairo's version weighed 4.5 grams while Damascus used 4.68g. The 4.25g standard emerged later through Ottoman reforms, showing how measurement systems evolve with empires. By the 19th century, metrication began replacing these units, though you'll still find mithqals used in some gold markets today, a benifit of tradition in modern commerce.
Interesting facts
- The word "mithqal" comes from Arabic "mithqāl" meaning "weight" or "heavy"
- Mithqal-based dinars remained in use until World War I across Ottoman territories
- Quranic zakat calculations still reference mithqals for gold/silver donations
- 1 mithqal of saffron cost 3 dinars in 10th-century Baghdad - equivalent to $450 today
- Modern Iranian jewellers sometimes use mithqals for handmade gold items
FAQ
1 middle eastern mithqal equals 0.00425 kilograms (4.25 grams).
Primarily in historical contexts and niche gold markets, but largely replaced by metric units.
Variations arose from local trade practices and measurement standardization efforts.
Yes. Since 1 mithqal = 4.25 grams, multiply mithqals by 4.25 for grams.
Modern conversions use standardized values, though historical measurements may vary slightly.