The Atyuquids of Mardin produced some remarkable dirhems in the 1100s - 1200s. The coinage spanned many themes, including what many numismatists considered a coin commemorating the death of Saladin in 1193. This coin was struck in AH 589, 1193. It depicts three figures in mourning on the obverse. The reverse has a Kufic legend citing the Abbasid caliph al-Nasir; titles of Arslan and date in marginal legend. "The figures on the obverse may represent actual citizens in mourning for Saladin. Alternatively, they may be symbolic representations of astronomical/astrological entities which were said to have predicted the death of Saladin, and then mourned him – so exceptionally great was the tragedy of his passing that the stars and planets lamented (see Spengler & Sayles, Type 35 section for more details of this latter theory)." 12.63 grams 30 mm, 5 h. The theme of mourning or loss is a common theme throughout the coinage of the ancient world, quite often associated with a conquest or victory, with the personification of a conquered nation in mourning, as shown on this sestertius of Vespasian, the Judaea Capta sestertius. What other examples of mourning do you have? Please post if you wish. Thank you.
Wow, @robinjojo , very COOL COIN! I just posted this, but it belongs in your thread. AYYUBID Caliphate - Saladin al-Nasir Salah al Din Yusuf AH564-589 1169-1193 CE AR Dirham R
Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. AR Denarius (3.42g). Rome mint. Struck AD 165. Obv: L VERVS ΛVG ΛRM PΛRTH MΛX; Laureate head right. Rev: TR P V IMP III COS II; Parthia, draped, wearing breeches to ankles, and peaked cap on head, seated right on ground, hands tied behind back; to right, quiver, bow, and shield. Ref: RIC III 540 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 112-14/30; RSC 273; BMCRE 385. The mention of ARM(eniacus) in the Vs. legend refers to Verus' campaigns in Armenia (162-166). He took the title Parthicus maximus in the second half of the year 165.
