ISLAMIC, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Artuqids (Kayfa & Amid). Fakhr al-Din Qara Arslan, AH 543-570 / AD 1148-1174. Dirham (Bronze, 27 mm, 6.40 g), Hisn Kayfa. Nimbate Christ seated facing on throne, holding book of gospels in his left hand; to his right and left, the epithet of Fakhr al-Din Qara Arslan reading 'mu 'in Amir al-Mu'minin' ('Helper of the Commander of the Faithful' in Arabic); above in fields, Arabic numerals; in field to left, countermark of a six-lobbed medallion containing two dragons with entwined necks. Rev. Inscription in Arabic naming Fakhr al-Din, his titles and his ancestors back three generations with the ommitment of his grandfather Sukman I; The legend in three lines reading: 'al-Malik al-Alim al-Adil Fakhr al-Din'; above, 'bin Da'ud'; in left field, 'bin Artuq'; in right field; 'Qara Arslan'. Sayles & Sprengler 2.4. Struck from a somewhat worn obverse die and with light deposits, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of Dr. D. Löer, ex St. James 36, 19 April 2016, 762.