Coins of Salah al-Din
Type:
Coins
Date:
1190
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Turkey
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Approximately 3 cm in diameter
Description:
Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub (1137–1193; popularly known as Saladin) was the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. At his death, his Sunni caliphate ruled over Egypt, parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, the west of the Arabian Peninsula, and other parts of North Africa. These dirhams feature the cross-legged caliph holding an orb. He sits on a on a low, square-backed throne. They were minted at Mayyafariqin (or Meiafarakin; today Silvan, Turkey), in the the northernmost part of his empire.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
7,
8
Image Credits:
Classical Numismatic Group, © Trustees of the British Museum
