It is really out of my usual field of interest, but I bought this coin from CNG, a coin called "Pitis", because I think the script is interesting (I haven't received it yet, it's on the way). So I've been researching it and I think it is Jawi script, a script used in the Malay region to write Arabic language. Obviously I can't read the script, this is just my guess. Can any CT'er say if it is Jawi? I also am trying to find out who the sultan of Boné was at that time. The description of the coin says: "MALAY ARCHIPELAGO, Islamic Sultanates. Boné. Salah al-Din (Salahuddin ). fl. AH 1132 / AD 1720.", but I don't know why it is Salah-al-Din who definitely was not alive in 1720. In 1720 the sultan of Boné was La Pareppa To'Soppéwali, Paduka Sri Sultan Shahabuddin Ismail Matinroé ri Somba Opu. at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_State so my guess is that the script on this coin is praising Salah-al-Din. PB Pitis (tin-lead alloy) 18 mm, 2.31 g, 12h Kesultanan Boné. Dated AH 1132 (AD 1720). Ref.: Zeno 341232 Maybe this is what the legends are: Ob.: al-sultan / salah al-din / 1132 Rev.: 'ukhallid / mulkahu wa- / sultanahu all this is very confusing, I probably shouldn't have bought this coin. Please, please can someone of you help me out? Is this Jawi script and why does the description say Salah-al-Din?
I just invested about 20 minutes in an unsuccessful attempt to be able to offer up even so much as a mere tidbit of info in addition to what you have already sleuthed. No offense... ...but just as a hopefully-humorous and definitely-relevant comment: Thanks for the reminder to, "buy the book before the coin". ;-)
Using AI Gemini I was able to translate the script: The Arabic script on the obverse al-sultan / Salah al-Din / 1132 translates to “Salah-al-Din the Sultan” (year AH) 1132. The Islamic year AH 1132 corresponds to the Gregorian year 1719/1720, the year when this Pitis was minted. Here is a breakdown: al-sultan: "Al-Sultan" is an Arabic title meaning "the Sultan," a term used for Muslim rulers. Salah al-Din: is the Arabic name of the historical figure known in the West as Saladin. He was a Kurdish Muslim who rose to prominence in the 12th century, becoming a major figure in the Islamic world and a significant opponent of the Crusader states. Salah al-Din was the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. 1132: The year expressed in the Islamic calendar (Hijri or AH for Anno Hegirae) when this coin was minted. The Arabic script on the reverse 'ukhallid / mulkahu wa- / sultanahu translates to "May his kingdom and his sultanate be eternal". This phrase is often found on historical artifacts like coins, where it serves as a prayer or invocation for the longevity and prosperity of the ruler's reign. For example, the phrase appears on coins attributed to Sultan Salah al-Din of Sulawesi, Indonesia, dating back to the 18th century. Here's a breakdown: 'ukhallid: is a verb meaning "may (he/it) make eternal" or "may (he/it) perpetuate". It's a form of the verb "khallada" which means to make something eternal or to perpetuate. mulkahu: means "his kingdom". The word "mulk" refers to kingdom, dominion, or sovereignty. wa-: is a conjunction meaning "and". sultanahu: means "his sultanate". The word "sultan" is a title used by Muslim rulers. Joining both scripts: “Salah-al-Din the Sultan. May his kingdom and his sultanate be eternal" and the year is (AH) 1132
