Islamic Bronze Fals / Dirham (Medieval Islamic / Artuqid or similar Anatolian/Levantine context)

Islamic World (likely medieval Anatolia, Jazira, or Levant under a regional dynasty such as the Artuqids or Zengids) · Circa 12th - 13th Century CE (Middle Ages)

A thick, heavily worn and corroded medieval Islamic bronze coin featuring Arabic Kufic or Thuluth calligraphy on one side and an animal or figural representation (possibly a lion, horse, or mythical creature) on the other.

Year: Circa 12th - 13th Century CE (Middle Ages)
Denomination: Fals (Bronze coin)
Metal: Bronze / Copper

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 1, 2026More islamic world (likely medieval anatolia, jazira, or levant under a regional dynasty such as the artuqids or zengids) coins →

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At a glance

Coin: Islamic Bronze Fals / Dirham (Medieval Islamic / Artuqid or similar Anatolian/Levantine context)
Country: Islamic World (likely medieval Anatolia, Jazira, or Levant under a regional dynasty such as the Artuqids or Zengids)
Year: Circa 12th - 13th Century CE (Middle Ages)
Denomination: Fals (Bronze coin)
Metal: Bronze / Copper
Grade: Fair to About Good (Heavy wear, encrustation, and corrosion obscuring fine details)
Mint mark: Not explicitly visible; typical mints for this type include regional hubs in Jazira or northern Mesopotamia (e.g., Mardin, Hisn Kayfa)
Edge: Plain, uneven, and rounded due to ancient manufacturing techniques.
Weight / Ø: Variable based on specific type, typically ranging between 4 to 12 grams and 20 to 30 mm.
Mintage: Unrecorded ancient mintage; general availability is scarce to moderate depending on the specific series, but common varieties appear regularly on the antiquities market.
Identified: August 1, 2026

Overview

Historical significance

During the medieval Islamic period, particularly in Upper Mesopotamia and Anatolia under dynasties like the Artuqids, copper and bronze coins (fulus) frequently departed from strictly orthodox aniconic designs to feature classical, Byzantine, or astrological figural motifs alongside Arabic religious and administrative legends.

Obverse (front)

Features a figural motif, possibly a quadruped animal such as a lion or horse walking or standing, heavily encrusted with earthen deposits.

Reverse (back)

Features multiple lines of horizontal Arabic script in a cursive or square script style containing religious formulas, ruler titles, or mint/date information.

Estimated value

$10-$50 depending on exact attribution, legibility, and collector demand for medieval Islamic bronzes.

What drives this coin's value

Legibility of the Arabic inscription, clear visibility of the figural art, identification of the specific ruler or mint, and overall preservation of the ancient patina.

Grade assessment

Fair to About Good (Heavy wear, encrustation, and corrosion obscuring fine details)

Mintage & rarity

Unrecorded ancient mintage; general availability is scarce to moderate depending on the specific series, but common varieties appear regularly on the antiquities market.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Look for authentic earthen deposits, natural cabinet patina, and correct flan thickness characteristic of ancient cast or hammered bronze blanks. Beware of modern cast forgeries.

Notable varieties & errors

Various die combinations featuring different astrological symbols, busts, animals, or elaborate epigraphic layouts unique to specific medieval rulers.

Similar coins

Other medieval Islamic copper fulus issued by the Artuqids of Mardin/Hisn Kayfa, Zengids of Mosul, or Seljuks of Rum.

Care & preservation

Store in a dry, stable environment with low humidity. Do not attempt to clean, scrub, or remove ancient patina or encrustations, as this can severely damage the coin and destroy its historical value.

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Likely a coin from a Persian or Islamic dynasty; potentially a 'Shahi' or similar denomination, though specific identification without clear inscriptions is difficult.

Persian Empire (various dynasties), Central Asian Khanates, or areas under Islamic rule in the Middle East. · Based on the style and iconography, this coin likely dates from the medieval Islamic period, roughly between the "12th and 18th centuries AD" (6th to 12th centuries AH), but a precise year cannot be determined without clearer inscription details.

The denomination is not clearly visible from the image. It could be a Shahi, Dinar, Dirham, or a fraction thereof, depending on the specific issuing authority.