FATIMID, AL-MUSTANSIR / AL-BASASIRI (450-451h) Dinar, Madinat al-Salam 450h Obverse: In field: Ma‘add | ‘Abd Allah wa waliyat | al-Imam Abu Tamim | al-Mustansir billah | Amir al-Mu‘minin Reverse: In field: ‘Ali | la ilaha illa Allah | wahdahu la sharik lahu | Muhammad rasul Allah | wali Allah Weight: 3.51g Reference: cf Nicol 2092 Edge shaved, double-struck on obverse and some scrapes on reverse but with mint and date clearly legible, fine overall, historically important and of the highest rarity. Arslan al-Basasiri was a Turkish general who served the Buwayhids in Baghdad until their overthrow by the Seljuqs in 447h. Fearing the new Seljuq regime, Basasiri offered his services to the Fatimids who promised him military and financial aid to stage a coup in the Abbasid capital. His chance came in 450h when the Seljuq Sultan, Tughril Beg, was away from Baghdad, leaving al-Basasiri able to occupy the city with only a small force. Al-Basasiri duly had the Fatimid al-Mustansir acknowledged in the Friday prayers, and also compelled the Abbasid caliph to sign a document acknowledging that the Fatimids should be the rightful caliphs as long as their line endured. Al-Basasiri held Baghdad for the Fatimids for almost exactly a year, before the return of Tughril Beg and his army in 451h brought the city firmly back under Seljuq control.

Estimate: GBP 4000 - 6000