Description

A Fatimid dinar from the reign of “Al-Mustanser Billah” (1035 AD/427 AH – 1094 AD/487 AH). It has on the obverse (head) the phrase “There is no God but Allah, the one who has no partner; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; Ali is the vicegerent of Allah”, surrounded by the phrase “Muhammad is a messenger sent by God with guidance and the religion of truth to proclaim it over all religion even if though the pagans may detest it”.  On the reverse, the phrase “Mued Abd Allah and his Imam Abu Tamim al-Mustanser Billah the Caliph” was inscribed. Under it, you can see the word “high”, referring to the quality of the coin material. Around it was the phrase “this dinar was coined in Alexandria in the year four hundred thirty-five”.

 

The Fatimid Coins

The Fatimid coins were an important tool to propagate for Shi’ism in Egypt. Therefore, it carried many Shiite phrases that revolve around the leadership of “Ali Ibn Abi Talib”. For instance, among these phrases are “Ali is the best of the trustees and the minister of the best of messengers”; “Ali is chosen by God”; and “Ali is the vicegerent of Allah”. The Fatimid coins during the reign of Al Muiz Ledin Allah (952 AD/341 AH – 975 AD/365 AH) were characterized by their innovative design that was made of three united circles. This new circular design is most probably closely tied to Shi’ism that had been transferring the Imamate from one Imam to the other since the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a uniform pattern similar to this circular design. It is a remarkable design that reflected the desire of the Caliph Al Muiz to create an independent and unique persona for the Fatimid coinage.
 
 

• Zahi Hawass, ed., Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Archaeology Museum (Cairo: The Supreme Council of Antiquities, 2002): 133.
• Mona Serry, ed., Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Antiquities Museum, introduction by Ismail Serageldin (Alexandria: Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Antiquities Museum, 2015): 223, 329.