Zengid Bronze Coin of Nur al-Din — Islamic Coin Featuring Jesus Christ

Own a Coin from the Muslim Ruler Who Fought the Crusader States

A real medieval Syrian bronze fals of Nur al-Din Mahmud, one of the most important Muslim rulers of the Crusades era—featuring Byzantine-style imperial figures on one side and an image of Jesus Christ on the other.

✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ Exact Coin Shown
✓ 30-Day Returns

☪ Issued by one of Saladin's most important predecessors
✝ Features a standing image of Jesus Christ on an Islamic coin
🏛 Struck in medieval Syria during the age of the Crusades

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

Nur al-Din Mahmud ibn Zengi ruled Aleppo and much of Syria from AD 1146 to 1174, becoming one of the most formidable Muslim leaders of the Crusades era. A skilled military commander and administrator, he fought repeatedly against the Crusader states and helped lay the political and military foundations that Saladin would later build upon.

This remarkable bronze fals is one of the most unusual coins of medieval Islamic history.

Rather than abandoning the familiar imagery used on Byzantine money, Nur al-Din's mint adapted it. The obverse depicts two Byzantine-style standing figures, while the reverse shows a standing, haloed figure of Jesus Christ holding the Gospels. Arabic legends identifying Nur al-Din were added alongside the older Byzantine-style design.

The type was modeled on a Byzantine bronze coin of Constantine X Doukas (AD 1059–1067). By reusing imagery that local people already recognized, the Zengids created a coin that could circulate effectively in a region where Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader cultures met.

That makes this more than simply an Islamic coin or a Byzantine imitation. It is physical evidence of the complicated cultural world of medieval Syria—where religions, empires, languages, and monetary traditions overlapped.

Perfect For

• Crusades history enthusiasts
• Islamic and Byzantine coin collectors
• Christian history collectors
• Anyone fascinated by Saladin and the medieval Middle East
• Collectors of unusual cross-cultural artifacts

What You'll Receive

• The exact Nur al-Din bronze fals pictured
• Zengids of Syria
• Nur al-Din Mahmud ibn Zengi (AD 1146–1174)
• Traditionally attributed to Halab (Aleppo)
• Album 1850
• Spengler & Sayles Type 73
• Guaranteed authentic

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient or medieval coin
• Carefully sourced and attributed
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

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