Silver Islamic Coin Ayyubid Dirham Al-Adil Abu Bakr I 598 AH Dimishq Toned VF+
escription: Nice very fine silver dirham from the times of Al-Adil Abu Bakr I, the Ayyubid Sultan who ruled Egypt and Syria in the period 596-615 AH (1199 - 1218 AD). Al-Adil Abu Bakr is the fourth sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty. He ascended the throne upon the death of his predecessor al-Mansur Muhammad, who ruled for a short period. His full name being, Al-Adil Sayf al-Din Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Ayyub. The coin shows the legend "Al Malik al-Adil Abu Bakr ibn Ayyub Sayf al-Din" in the scenter of a double trefoil design on the obverse. It also shows parts of the mint name being Dimishq and confirmed by comparison to Balog 280. The reverse has the legend "Al Imam al-Nasir le-Din Allah Amir al-Muminin" again in the center of a double trefoil design on the reverse. Although the mint name and mint date are not clear, comparison of the coin to Balog 280 indicates the coin was struck in Dimishq in 598 AH. Album suggests that this type of coin was struck in Dimishq during the period 598-609AH and that only 15-20% of known examples of this coin show the date. Please carefully review the scan presented as it is part and parcel of our description.
Date: The coin was most likely minted in 598 AH or 1202 AD based on the way the Sayf al-Din is split on the obverse and al-Muminin is split on the reverse which is the only coin with such a split listed in Balog as #280.
Mint: Although not obvious on the coin it was struck in Dimishq.
Size and Weight: This is a dirham, weighs ~2.9 grams and is ~20 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #803, it is listed in Balog as 280, and is listed as 1381 and 1382 in Lane Poole's Catalog of the Khedivial Collection.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a toned good very fine or better. It has clear, very well defined, and legible calligraphy. the coin has wear commensurate with its age and circulated state. It has great eye appeal and would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos suggest with very well defined and legible calligraphy. A definite quality coin. Please see photos for additional condition information.
Historic Perspective: The Ayyubids were one of the great Islamic dynasties. The dynasty was founded by al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf I (Saladin) in AH 564/1169 AD and ruled in Egypt and Syria until falling to the Mamluks in the mid 7th century AH. The Ayyubids are of Kurdish origins. Saladin and his brother Shirquah were recruited among others by the Zangid Nur Al-Din. Shirquah gained control over Egypt from the fatimids, and died almost immediately, leaving his nephew Salah El-Din Ibn Ayyub as his successor and soon was recognized by his troops. Saladin (probably the most respected figure of the middle ages by both friends and foes) was the real founder of the Dynasty. With his victory at Hittin in 583 AH/ 1187 AD, the holy city of Jerusalem was liberated from the crusaders and great event in Muslim history. He extinguished the last Fatimids of Egypt and replaced the Isma’ili Shiism by a strongly Orthodox Sunni religious and educational policy. Al-Adil Abu Bakr I was the younger brother of Salah al-Din (Saladin). He ruled after the direct descendants of Saladin completed their rule and died. He was succeeded by his son al-Kamil Mohammad. He ruled for 19 years and issued gold coins, which continued to look like the Fatimid Dinars.
Date: The coin was most likely minted in 598 AH or 1202 AD based on the way the Sayf al-Din is split on the obverse and al-Muminin is split on the reverse which is the only coin with such a split listed in Balog as #280.
Mint: Although not obvious on the coin it was struck in Dimishq.
Size and Weight: This is a dirham, weighs ~2.9 grams and is ~20 mm in diameter.
References: It is Album #803, it is listed in Balog as 280, and is listed as 1381 and 1382 in Lane Poole's Catalog of the Khedivial Collection.
Condition: I would grade this coin as a toned good very fine or better. It has clear, very well defined, and legible calligraphy. the coin has wear commensurate with its age and circulated state. It has great eye appeal and would make a great addition to your collection. Please note the coin itself is much better than the photos suggest with very well defined and legible calligraphy. A definite quality coin. Please see photos for additional condition information.
Historic Perspective: The Ayyubids were one of the great Islamic dynasties. The dynasty was founded by al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf I (Saladin) in AH 564/1169 AD and ruled in Egypt and Syria until falling to the Mamluks in the mid 7th century AH. The Ayyubids are of Kurdish origins. Saladin and his brother Shirquah were recruited among others by the Zangid Nur Al-Din. Shirquah gained control over Egypt from the fatimids, and died almost immediately, leaving his nephew Salah El-Din Ibn Ayyub as his successor and soon was recognized by his troops. Saladin (probably the most respected figure of the middle ages by both friends and foes) was the real founder of the Dynasty. With his victory at Hittin in 583 AH/ 1187 AD, the holy city of Jerusalem was liberated from the crusaders and great event in Muslim history. He extinguished the last Fatimids of Egypt and replaced the Isma’ili Shiism by a strongly Orthodox Sunni religious and educational policy. Al-Adil Abu Bakr I was the younger brother of Salah al-Din (Saladin). He ruled after the direct descendants of Saladin completed their rule and died. He was succeeded by his son al-Kamil Mohammad. He ruled for 19 years and issued gold coins, which continued to look like the Fatimid Dinars.
