Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.199, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1059 AD to 1060 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold,At the height of their  More »

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.199, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1059 AD to 1060 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold,At the height of their power, the Fatimid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Hejaz, and the Eastern Mediterranean, from their capital in Cairo. However, their roots can be traced to the shores of Ifriqiya in modern day Tunisia and eastern Algeria where in 909 A.D. an imam from the Ismaili sect of the Shia branch of Islam declared himself caliph and adopted the name of al-Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One). Directly opposing the power of the Sunni Abbasids, the Fatimids legitimized their claim to authority by tracing their descent to Muhammad by way of his daughter Fatima (hence the name Fatimid) and her husband Ali, the first Shia imam. Soon after their founding, the Fatimids began to expand outwards, swiftly bringing all of the Maghreb under their dominion. Thereafter, the Fatimids set their sights to the East where the Abbasids centers of power lay.   « Less

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.200, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1052 AD to 1053 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their  More »

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.200, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1052 AD to 1053 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their power, the Fatimid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Hejaz, and the Eastern Mediterranean, from their capital in Cairo. However, their roots can be traced to the shores of Ifriqiya in modern day Tunisia and eastern Algeria where in 909 A.D. an imam from the Ismaili sect of the Shia branch of Islam declared himself caliph and adopted the name of al-Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One). Directly opposing the power of the Sunni Abbasids, the Fatimids legitimized their claim to authority by tracing their descent to Muhammad by way of his daughter Fatima (hence the name Fatimid) and her husband Ali, the first Shia imam. Soon after their founding, the Fatimids began to expand outwards, swiftly bringing all of the Maghreb under their dominion. Thereafter, the Fatimids set their sights to the East where the Abbasids centers of power lay.   « Less

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.201, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1061 AD to 1062 AD, Collection: islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of  More »

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.201, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1061 AD to 1062 AD, Collection: islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their power, the Fatimid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Hejaz, and the Eastern Mediterranean, from their capital in Cairo. However, their roots can be traced to the shores of Ifriqiya in modern day Tunisia and eastern Algeria where in 909 A.D. an imam from the Ismaili sect of the Shia branch of Islam declared himself caliph and adopted the name of al-Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One). Directly opposing the power of the Sunni Abbasids, the Fatimids legitimized their claim to authority by tracing their descent to Muhammad by way of his daughter Fatima (hence the name Fatimid) and her husband Ali, the first Shia imam. Soon after their founding, the Fatimids began to expand outwards, swiftly bringing all of the Maghreb under their dominion. Thereafter, the Fatimids set their sights to the East where the Abbasids centers of power lay.   « Less

Abbasid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Musta'sim - LC.202, Origin: Minted in Madinat Al-Salam, Circa: 1244 AD to 1245 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Gold,  More »

Abbasid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Musta'sim - LC.202, Origin: Minted in Madinat Al-Salam, Circa: 1244 AD to 1245 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Gold, The Abbasid Dynasty was an Arab family legendarily descended from Abbas, the uncle of Muhammad. The Abbasids held the caliphate from 749 to 1258. Under the Umayyad caliphs the Abbasids lived quietly until they became involved in numerous disputes, beginning early in the 8th cent. The family then joined with the Shiite faction in opposing the Umayyads, and in 747 the gifted Abu Muslim united most of the empire in revolt against the Umayyads. The head of the Abbasid family became caliph as Abu al- Abbas as-Saffah late in 749. Under the second Abbasid caliph, called al-Mansur, the capital was moved from Damascus to Baghdad, and Persian influence grew strong in the empire. The early years of Abbasid rule were brilliant, rising to true splendor under Harun al-Rashid and to intellectual brilliance under his son al-Mamun. After less than a hundred years of rule, however, the slow decline of the Abbasids began. Long periods of disorder were marked by assassinations, depositions, control by Turkish soldiers, and other disturbances. In 836 the capital was transferred to Samarra, remaining there until 892. Under the later Abbasids, the power of the caliphate became chiefly spiritual. Many independent kingdoms sprang up, and the empire split into autonomous units. The Seljuk Turks came to hold the real power at Baghdad. Later their power dwindled even further, and, in 1258, Baghdad was burned by the Tatars. From then until 1517 the Abbasids retained limited power as caliphs of Egypt.   « Less

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.203, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1051 AD to 1052 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their  More »

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Mustansir - LC.203, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 1051 AD to 1052 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their power, the Fatimid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Hejaz, and the Eastern Mediterranean, from their capital in Cairo. However, their roots can be traced to the shores of Ifriqiya in modern day Tunisia and eastern Algeria where in 909 A.D. an imam from the Ismaili sect of the Shia branch of Islam declared himself caliph and adopted the name of al-Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One). Directly opposing the power of the Sunni Abbasids, the Fatimids legitimized their claim to authority by tracing their descent to Muhammad by way of his daughter Fatima (hence the name Fatimid) and her husband Ali, the first Shia imam. Soon after their founding, the Fatimids began to expand outwards, swiftly bringing all of the Maghreb under their dominion. Thereafter, the Fatimids set their sights to the East where the Abbasids centers of power lay.   « Less

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Aziz - LC.205, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 982 AD to 983 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their  More »

Fatimid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Aziz - LC.205, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 982 AD to 983 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Gold, At the height of their power, the Fatimid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Hejaz, and the Eastern Mediterranean, from their capital in Cairo. However, their roots can be traced to the shores of Ifriqiya in modern day Tunisia and eastern Algeria where in 909 A.D. an imam from the Ismaili sect of the Shia branch of Islam declared himself caliph and adopted the name of al-Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One). Directly opposing the power of the Sunni Abbasids, the Fatimids legitimized their claim to authority by tracing their descent to Muhammad by way of his daughter Fatima (hence the name Fatimid) and her husband Ali, the first Shia imam. Soon after their founding, the Fatimids began to expand outwards, swiftly bringing all of the Maghreb under their dominion. Thereafter, the Fatimids set their sights to the East where the Abbasids centers of power lay.   « Less

Abbasid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Muqtadi - LC.206, Origin: Minted in Nishapur, Circa: 1081 AD to 1082 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Gold, The Abbasid  More »

Abbasid Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Muqtadi - LC.206, Origin: Minted in Nishapur, Circa: 1081 AD to 1082 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Gold, The Abbasid Dynasty was an Arab family legendarily descended from Abbas, the uncle of Muhammad. The Abbasids held the caliphate from 749 to 1258. Under the Umayyad caliphs the Abbasids lived quietly until they became involved in numerous disputes, beginning early in the 8th cent. The family then joined with the Shiite faction in opposing the Umayyads, and in 747 the gifted Abu Muslim united most of the empire in revolt against the Umayyads. The head of the Abbasid family became caliph as Abu al- Abbas as-Saffah late in 749. Under the second Abbasid caliph, called al-Mansur, the capital was moved from Damascus to Baghdad, and Persian influence grew strong in the empire. The early years of Abbasid rule were brilliant, rising to true splendor under Harun al-Rashid and to intellectual brilliance under his son al-Mamun. After less than a hundred years of rule, however, the slow decline of the Abbasids began. Long periods of disorder were marked by assassinations, depositions, control by Turkish soldiers, and other disturbances. In 836 the capital was transferred to Samarra, remaining there until 892. Under the later Abbasids, the power of the caliphate became chiefly spiritual. Many independent kingdoms sprang up, and the empire split into autonomous units. The Seljuk Turks came to hold the real power at Baghdad. Later their power dwindled even further, and, in 1258, Baghdad was burned by the Tatars. From then until 1517 the Abbasids retained limited power as caliphs of Egypt.   « Less

Ottoman Gold Dinar Minted Under Suleyman Bin Salim - LC.207, Origin: Minted in Egypt, Circa: 1519 AD to 1520 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Gold, At its  More »

Ottoman Gold Dinar Minted Under Suleyman Bin Salim - LC.207, Origin: Minted in Egypt, Circa: 1519 AD to 1520 AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Gold, At its height, the Ottoman Empire was one of the world’s great powers, controlling much of southeastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The roots of the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the migration of Turkic tribes from Central Asia into Anatolia. Expert horsemen, fierce and highly mobile, these armies encountered little resistance as they moved westward and settled, eventually uniting under the banner of the Seljuk Empire. Back in the East, the rise of the Mongols sent progressive waves of Turkic refugees fleeing the armies of the Khan. The turmoil created by this influx of people, as well as direct confrontations with the Mongols themselves, eventually resulted in the dissolution of the Seljuk Empires into several fractured independent states. One of these states, ruled by Osman I, from whom the word Ottoman is derived, would become the Ottoman Empire.   « Less

Umayyad Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Walid - LC.209, Origin: Minted in Damascus, Circa: 707 AD to 708 AD, Weight: 4.1 Grams, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Umayyad, Medium:  More »

Umayyad Gold Dinar Minted Under Al-Walid - LC.209, Origin: Minted in Damascus, Circa: 707 AD to 708 AD, Weight: 4.1 Grams, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Umayyad, Medium: Gold, The early history of Islam following the death of the Prophet Muhammad can be characterized by glorious wars and victories on the one hand and by jealousy, intrigue, and deceit on the other. When the Umayyad Dynasty ruled in splendor from their capital at Damascus, a coin such as this would have been recognized and traded throughout their expanding empire. The rulers of the Umayyad Dynasty, beginning with the founder, Mu'awiyah, claimed a blood relationship with the Prophet via his sister, Umm Habibah, and his Abu-Sufyan, the leader of the Meccan Quraysh. As the Islam spread across North Africa and into Europe, political rivalry began to emerge between the Caliphs. These family feuds would culminate in 749 A.D. when the entire Umayyad clan was murdered, save for abd-al- Rahman, who fled to Spain and founded an independent Umayyad Caliphate there. In part, this division between opposing Muslim factions of Shi’ite and the Sunni continue to this day. Overall, the period of the Umayyad Dynasty can be characterized by a love of luxury. Great palaces were erected in the capital of Damascus. It is also noted that the Caliphs Yazi I and II were "passionate friends of sport, music and lady singers."   « Less

Umayyad Gold Dinar Minted Under Suleiman - LC.210, Origin: Minted in Damascus, Circa: 714 AD to 715 AD, Weight: 4.2 Grams, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Umayyad, Medium:  More »

Umayyad Gold Dinar Minted Under Suleiman - LC.210, Origin: Minted in Damascus, Circa: 714 AD to 715 AD, Weight: 4.2 Grams, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Umayyad, Medium: Gold, The early history of Islam following the death of the Prophet Muhammad can be characterized by glorious wars and victories on the one hand and by jealousy, intrigue, and deceit on the other. When the Umayyad Dynasty ruled in splendor from their capital at Damascus, a coin such as this would have been recognized and traded throughout their expanding empire. The rulers of the Umayyad Dynasty, beginning with the founder, Mu'awiyah, claimed a blood relationship with the Prophet via his sister, Umm Habibah, and his Abu-Sufyan, the leader of the Meccan Quraysh. As the Islam spread across North Africa and into Europe, political rivalry began to emerge between the Caliphs. These family feuds would culminate in 749 A.D. when the entire Umayyad clan was murdered, save for abd-al- Rahman, who fled to Spain and founded an independent Umayyad Caliphate there. In part, this division between opposing Muslim factions of Shi’ite and the Sunni continue to this day. Overall, the period of the Umayyad Dynasty can be characterized by a love of luxury. Great palaces were erected in the capital of Damascus. It is also noted that the Caliphs Yazi I and II were "passionate friends of sport, music and lady singers."   « Less