198, Lot: 342. Estimate $100. Sold for $938. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ISLAMIC, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Zangids (Syria). Nur al-Din Mahmud. AH 541-569 / AD 1146-1173. Æ Dirham (26mm, 4.57 g, 6h). al-Halab (Aleppo) mint or contemporary imitation(?). Two Byzantine style imperial figures standing facing, supporting between them labarum resting on three steps / Christ standing facing, holding [Gospels]. Cf. S&S Type 73; cf. Album 1850. Near VF, black patina, deposits.

This coin is similar to the previous lot, although in a much degraded style. S&S notes that the skill of the engravers producing the type varies considerably and that legends are often blundered. It could even be an imitation of Mahmud’s official issue, perhaps struck by Crusaders (see Album, 1850, note).