⅙ 'Sudaysi' Dirham - al-Nasir Ahmad bin Yahya

The Rassid imamate under al-Nasir Ahmad bin Yahya consolidated Zaydi Shi'a authority in the Yemeni highlands during a period of sustained pressure from Abbasid-aligned forces in the lowlands. The fractional dirham — the sudaysi representing one-sixth — served the practical demands of a highland economy where small transactions in silver were routine and full dirhams were rarely seen in daily exchange.

At 0.25 g, striking these pieces consistently required exceptional die control, and surviving examples frequently show double-striking or off-center placement.