Lot 2282

Description

Rasulid dynasty in Yemen, al-Malik al-Mujahid Saif al-Islam `Ali ibn Daud (A.H. 721-764) (A.D. 1322-1363), silver dirham, al Mahjam mint, A.H. 744 = A.D. 1343-4, with lion in centre, (A.1108, Nutzel 26 [date not listed]). Very fine and rare.

The Yemenite kingdom of the Rasulids Imans began in A.H. 626 (1229) when Rasul a Turkeman official in Abbasid service usurped the rule of the Ayyubids, who captured this area under Saladin in A.H. 569 (1173). These Rasulids Imans lasted until A.H. 858 (1454). Rusulid silver coinage consisted of standard dirhams with a weight of about 1.85 grams and they include a few with lions, fish, birds etc. as a central motif (as in the example described above).