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1 Dirham - Qawâm b. Waththab Citing the Fatimid caliph al-Zahir
| Issuer | Numayrid dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 1021-1036 |
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| Composition | Billon |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Arabic |
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| Reverse description | The reverse field is likewise entirely epigraphic, presenting multiple horizontal lines of Kufic Arabic legend occupying the full flan. The inscription includes the Islamic profession of faith (shahada) and a citation of the Fatimid caliph al-Zahir, conforming to the standard formula of acknowledgment on coins struck by Numayrid vassals recognizing Fatimid suzerainty. A partial border of diagonal tick-marks or denticles is visible along the rim in places. The overall die work is somewhat roughly executed, consistent with provincial billon coinage of the early 5th century AH. |
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| Additional information |
The Numayrids were an Arab tribal dynasty controlling the Diyar Mudar region around Harran and Saruj, nominally subordinate to whichever caliphate served their interests at a given moment. Qawâm b. Waththab's citation of the Fatimid caliph al-Zahir on this dirham reflects the dynasty's political opportunism rather than genuine Ismaili allegiance — Numayrid lords shifted their formal recognition between Cairo and Baghdad as regional pressures dictated.
Al-Zahir's reign ran from 1021 to 1036, which brackets this issue precisely. The billon fabric and reduced weight signal how far the dirham had degraded from Abbasid silver standards by this period in the northern Jazira.