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, 14.00 g, 12 h), AH 590 = AD 1193/4. Three figures with extended arms standing around one figure seated to left in attitude of mourning. Rev. In inner field, 'al-Imam al-Na/sir lil-din / Amir al-Mu'minin'; in outer margin, 'Husam al-Din Malik Diyarbakr Yuluq Arslan ibn il-Ghazi ibn Artuq' and date; all in Kufic. Spengler & Sayles 35.3. Attractive earthen highlights. 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.