Watch List notes:

ISLAMIC, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Artuqids (Mardin). Husam al-Din Yuluq Arslan, AH 580-597 / AD 1184-1200. Dirham (Bronze, 32 mm, 14.67 g, 5 h), uncertain mint (Mardin?), 589 AH = 1193 AD. Three figures with extended arms standing around one figure seated to left in attitude of mourning. Rev. Legend in Kufic bearing the name and titles of al-Nasir I Salah al-Din (Saladin) Yusuf and the name and titles of Husam al-Din Yuluq Arslan. Spengler & Sayles 35.2. A sharp and very attractive piece. Good very fine.


The scene on the obverse has been interpreted either as the mourning over the death of Saladin, or as an astrological event depicting Virgo, the sixth astrological sign in the Zodiac, surrounded by planets.