With such fertile land, abundant water and mild weather, Coín has been very popular throughout time and it’s story dates back to prehistory. The oldest archaeological remains documented in the area come from the Copper Age and were found in the hills of Ardite (Cerro de Ardite), Carranque (Cerro Carranque) and the declared Asset of Cultural Interest - Llano de la Virgen.
Within the municipality of Coín, several pieces from the Iron Age were discovered at El Algibe hill (Cerro del Aljibe) and in the surrounding areas, including vestiges from the Greek, Phoenician, Iberian and Roman eras.
An individual burial in an elongated pit was found at the Cerro de Las Calaveras site from the Visigothic period.
There was also a large cave church, from the 8th - 10th century, discovered on the Monda road, indicating a large Mozarabic community, Spanish Christians living under Muslim rule, who adopted Arabic language and culture while remaining unconverted to Islam.
In 929, Abderraman III, the first Caliph of Cordoba fortified Coín (Hish Dakwan was it’s Arabic name) to improve it’s defences against the muladí attacks which stemmed from the rebellion against the Christian convert to Islam, led by Christian leader Omar Ben Hafsun and his sons, against the Emirate of Cordoba.
In 1283 Abu Yusuf, the Meriní Sultan, conquered the strongholds of Hish Dakwan (Coín), Cártama and Suhayl (Fuengirola). Before Abu Yusuf returned to Africa he assigned his son, Abu Zayyan Mandil, in charge of the armies left in Estepona and Hish Dakwan.
In 1286 Abu Yusuf signed the Marbella Treaty, creating peace between the Mirinids and the Nasrids, returning all possessions in Al-Andalus (Muslim-ruled area covering most of Spain, Portugal and part of southern France) to the Nasrid monarch, including Hish Dakwan.
Hish Dakwan then flourished and grew it’s population to 3,000 inhabitants by 1480. With such a good climate and an abundance of water, it’s fertile lands produced many orchards and varied crops.
In 1485 Hish Dakwan was seized by the Christians, in one of the fiercest battles the Nastrid Kingdom of Granada had seen. The defence was heroic and immense courage was shown on both sides. A scene from the battle was immortalised in the cathedral of Toledo’s choir stalls with the leader Hamet el Zegrí and the knight Pedro Ruiz de Alarcón.
The Catholic Monarchs tore down the fort, divided up the land and built their first Church, Santa María de la Encarnación, on the ruins of the Grand Mosque. The Moslems who converted to Christianity (moriscos) who remained after the conquest were eventually expelled, leaving the town impoverished and lacking in people with skills and abilities.
Coín started to rebuild with 450 residents and was governed by the jurisdiction of Malaga between 1505 and 1623. The population then started to slowly but constantly increase.
The modern Age in Coín grew stronger in the 17th century. In 1632 it separated itself from Malaga, buying it’s jurisdiction from the King and finalised the payment agreed in 1696.
Coín built the only episcopal palace (the official residence of a bishop) outside the province and was the head of one of the areas that the Malaga Bishopric (a district under a bishop's control) was divided into. It’s jurisdiction extended to Alhaurín, Mijas, Monda, Guaro, Tolox, Alozaina, Yonquera, Álora, Pizarra, Churriana, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Casarabonela and Carratraca. This shows that Coíns' feeling towards religion was intense and passionate in the 16th century and can still be seen today with the religious art on display.
During the Enlightenment century, in 1765, King Carlos lll granted Coín with the privilege of having an annual fair, due to its relevance in the trade of the area, on 11- 14th August, a tradition that has been continued to this day.
Also during this period was the commencement of the first local historians. Handwritten news of the conquest by Fray Fernando Domínguez, a Trinitarian, was discovered in 1773 along with antiquities and other notable things from the noble town of Coín.
In 1796, D. Antonio Agustín Ximénez de Guzmán wrote the History of the Villa de Coín. He also in 1852 beautifully transcribed the precious calligraphy of Don Fernando de Hermosa y Santiago, along with other documents of vital importance for historical research.
By the late 18th century the population of Coín was roughly 1,800 residents. There were around 700 orchards producing fruits such as; pomegranates, apricots, peaches, pears and quinces. Wheat, corn, barley, oil, hemp, flax, figs, Loja grape, raisins, honey and silk were produced from its fields. There were also 20 bread mills and 14 oil mills.
By the 19th century the population was just over 2,000 with over 8,200 souls, there were 1,500 houses, 50 streets, 3 squares, 3 schools, 11 public fountains and the episcopal palace.
Coín continued to grow and at the beginning of the 20th century the population was over 12,300, by the 1930’s it was around 14,000, by the 1940’s there was over 17,300, by the 1950’s it was around 20,000 and remained around this number until the 1980’s.
A railway line from Coín to Malaga took eight years to build and started running in 1913.
In 1930 King Alfonso XIII granted Coín the title of City and the treatment of its City Council of Excellence, by Royal Decree of January 12, for the advances made in education, public health, modernity and beautification.
