325, Lot: 827. Estimate $200. Sold for $450. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ISLAMIC, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Danishmendids (Sivas). Malik Muhammad. AH 528-536 / AD 1134-1142. Æ Fals (25mm, 4.27 g, 7h). +OME/ΛΗKIC/ [P]ACHC Pω/[M]ANI[AC] / KAI AN/ATOΛHE/ MAXAM/ATIC. Whelan, “A contribution to Danishmendid history: the figured copper coins”, ANSMN 25, pl. 16, 2 = Whelan Type A, fig. 3; CMM 1941; Album 1238. VF, earthen black patina, obverse double struck with some letters duplicated. Rare.

The Muslim Danishmendids ruled over an overwhelmingly Christian population and the legends on their coins are sometimes rendered in Greek as a concession to their subjects. The legends on the current piece can be translated as “The King of all Rome and Anatolia, Muhammad.”

This issue is normally found poorly struck, with only part of the legends visible. Interestingly, none of the cited references note the cross at the beginning of the legend, nor is it discernable on any specimens on coinarchives.com or zeno.ru. It is clearly visible on the current coin, even appearing twice due to the double strike.