Amalfi, Frederick I (later Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor) and Constance as Empress of the Holy Roman Empire Tari November 1198, AV 22.00 mm., 0.86 g.
Outer circle Kufic legend: 'struck in his reign in the year five hundred ninety-five'; inner circle Latin legend: ⧾ FRE REX SICILIE around palm tree in fruit in central circle. Rev. Outer rim Kufic legend: 'struck in the year one-hundred one-thousand ninety and eight; inner rim Kufic legend: 'Constance imperatrix of the Romans', around Latin cross in central circle. L. Travaini, 'Le monete Sveve con legend arabe nel Regno di Sicilia (1194-1220)' in RIN 1986, p.136, 2. MIR 36. MEC 14, p.166 fig. 3b. CNI XVII, p.10, 1, pl. 1, 14. G. Sambon, Repertario generale, 1113. M. Guglielmi, La monetazione degli Svevi nell'Italia meritionale, Serravalle RSM, 2000, p.67, 1. D. Spinelli, Monete cufiche, Napoli 1844, pl. 20, 1. R. Levinson, The Early Dated Coins of Europe 1234-1500, Clifton 2007, p.258. Friedberg 51.

Very rare and of great numismatic importance. Minor areas of weakness, otherwise Extremely fine.

This coin is exceptional for the particularly clear kufic legends in the outer circle seen on both sides of the coin. The scyphate nature of these coins means that most specimens are not clearly struck and the dates in both the Christian era and Hegira are illegible on the majority of the known examples.