Syria
Just deciphered these 3 Islamics from my Christmas Candy unknowns. It's like hitting the Trifecta at the horsetrack, a rare and significant win. Two are from Saladin the Sultan of Egypt and Syria and one from his son, King of Aleppo, Syria. They are dated to the time of the 1187 Battle of Hattin where Saladin, Islam's fiercest commander, annihilated the greatest army that the Crusaders ever assembled and recaptured Jerusalem. Can't believe getting these coins by chance for one of the important turning points in world history and still relevant in our 911 world today. Yes, one coin is deformed, but I can't help wondering if that occurred in battle from the slash of a Christian sword.
Before it gets too complicated this tourist eye view video of Aleppo 3 years ago will give a feel for the region. This week's video shows the same kids protesting for freedom. And the recent eternal inevitable strife .
Great difficulty encountered identifying these Arabic from my batch of unknown Christmas Candy but very rewarding. Visited Coin dealers, a Mosque and a Hindu Temple trying to read the Arabic writing. In the end it was Google to determine the identity of these Islamic bronze falus coins. Saladin was part of the Ayyubid family Dynasty that ruled over Syria, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq during this Islamic Golden Age . Gal-Din Ghazi was his third son and ruler of Aleppo in north Syria .
This was the more or less Third Crusade at the Battle of Hattin 1187 dramatically portrayed in the Kingdom of Heaven movie. Saladin was ruthless but could also show some mercy. King Richard the Lionhearted of England came back to fight Saladin but ended up agreeing to a negotiated settlement instead. The Robin Hood movie touched on these times. It wasn't much later that the Mongols came from the East to conquer stay for a century or so before being driven out.
Confucius say, "Before embark on journey of revenge, dig two graves" .
coins of Ayyubids and other Ayyamid coins.
trackdown coins of Saladin ruled Syria1174-1193
ref. Balog 148 near bottom coin zoom Damascus mint another Balog 148 for sale but I like mine better than theirs
ref. Balog 154 near bottom coin zoom Hamah mint found none for sale - rarity RR at this source
trackdown coins of Ghazi ruled Aleppo 1186-1216
ref. Balog 670 or 672 Aleppo (Halab) mint: at bottom Balog 672 and Balog 672 for sale: Balog 670 and Balog670 and Balog 670 and Balog 670
Hard to read the kufic script around the edges, the same script used in the first copies of the Quran. The later Naskh script inside the star says " al-malik al-zahir" in arabic, so it is a coin of Al Zahir Ghiyat Gal-Din Ghazi from coin talk forum ID same coin by Zuhara Jan 2010. [Muslim calendar AH date is after Haji, add 580 to 600 years.]
Star of David - Solomons Seal blog the 6 sided hexagram star has been used as an Islamic symbol but it was my 8 sided octagram star that was the key feature. Similar to Islamic from Morocco that I have, but it is sparsely used in Islam.
see Crusader Art in the Holy Land
.