Silver Dirham of Saladin. Islamic Coin. Crusades (1184)

This dirham coin is a reproduction of an Islamic 12th century coin from the Ayyubid dynasty

The original coin was minted in Aleppo in approxiamtely 1184 under the rule of An-Nasir Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub popularly known as Saladin (1138-1193).

Saladin a Sunni Muslim of Kurdish origin is best known for his success in the wars of the Crusades in the Levant. Saladin achieved a reputation in Europe as a respected and chivalrous adversary, due to his fierce struggle against the crusaders and also his generosity. Richard the Lionheart, King of England during the Third Crusade especially praised Saladin as a great prince and without doubt the greatest and most powerful leader in the Islamic world. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, the Hejaz, Yemen and other parts of North Africa.

The face and reverse of the coin features a six-pointed star design with Islamic wrtting which is characteristic of coins struck in Aleppo, in Syria.

The original coin can be viewed on the website of the British Museum Registration number: 1949,0803.389

These coins are hand stamped by a passionate reenactor who performs historical coin minting demonstrations. As each coin is hand stamped small variations may exist adding to the hand made character of the coins.

Made from high quality pewter.

Cards and dice also available separately.