Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 409 8 Nov 2017
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ISLAMIC, Mamluks. al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baybars I. AH 658-676 / AD 1260-1277. AR Dirham (22mm, 2.47 g, 12h). Citing Abbasid caliph al-Mustansir. Unnamed mint (Syria?). Undated issue, struck AH 659-60 (AD 1261). Central Naskh legend: Baybars, al-Salihi | al-malik al-Zahir | Rukn al-Dunya wa al-Din (Baybars, the good | Prince Manifest, | Pillar of the World and of the Faith); [below, lion passant left]; marginal Naskh legend, counterclockwise from top (skipping bottom): [bism Allah] | [al-rahman] | al-rahim ([In the name of Allah] | [the merciful] | the compassionate) / Central Naskh legend: el-imam al-Mustansir | billah Abu'l-Qasim | [Ahmad, amir al-mu'minin] (The Imam al-Mustansir | in Allah, Abu'l-Qasim | [Ahmad, Commander of the Faithful]); marginal Naskh legend, counterclockwise from top: la ilah illa Allah | wahdahu, la sharika lahu | Muhammad rasuluallah (There is no diety except god | alone, [He has no equal] | [Muhammad] is the messenger of [God]). Balog, Mamluk 42; SICA 6, –; Album –; Zeno –. Good VF, toned. Extremely rare.
From the BRN Collection.
Baybars was one of the greatest Muslim leaders during the time of the Crusades, for which he is best known in the West, but he also was the leader of the vanguard of the Egyptian army that defeated the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut, which was the first major defeat of a Mongol army. His rule established the dominance of the Mamluk dynasty in the the Levant, and strongly contributed to he final demise of the Crusaders in Otremer.
The present coin is from an issue was struck for a very short time, as evidenced by the Abbasid caliph named on it, al-Mustansir Abu'l-Qasim Ahmad, who only reigned for just over six months: 13 Rajab 659 - 3 Muharram 660 (12 June - 27 November 1261). In 1258, the Abbasid Caliphate fell, when the Mongols sacked their capital, Baghdad, and killed the reigning caliph, al-Musta'sim. The caliph's uncle, Abu al-Qasim Ahmad fled to Egypt, seeking protection under the Mamluks. In 1261, Baybars, perhaps recognizing the prestige he would garner by facilitating the recovery of the Abbasid Caliphate, had Ahmad proclaimed caliph, as al-Mustansir II, and sent him back east with an army, ostensibly to recover Baghdad. Unfortunately, al-Mustansir's forces were easily defeated by the Mongols, and the caliph was killed.
From the BRN Collection.
Baybars was one of the greatest Muslim leaders during the time of the Crusades, for which he is best known in the West, but he also was the leader of the vanguard of the Egyptian army that defeated the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut, which was the first major defeat of a Mongol army. His rule established the dominance of the Mamluk dynasty in the the Levant, and strongly contributed to he final demise of the Crusaders in Otremer.
The present coin is from an issue was struck for a very short time, as evidenced by the Abbasid caliph named on it, al-Mustansir Abu'l-Qasim Ahmad, who only reigned for just over six months: 13 Rajab 659 - 3 Muharram 660 (12 June - 27 November 1261). In 1258, the Abbasid Caliphate fell, when the Mongols sacked their capital, Baghdad, and killed the reigning caliph, al-Musta'sim. The caliph's uncle, Abu al-Qasim Ahmad fled to Egypt, seeking protection under the Mamluks. In 1261, Baybars, perhaps recognizing the prestige he would garner by facilitating the recovery of the Abbasid Caliphate, had Ahmad proclaimed caliph, as al-Mustansir II, and sent him back east with an army, ostensibly to recover Baghdad. Unfortunately, al-Mustansir's forces were easily defeated by the Mongols, and the caliph was killed.