(Vendue pour $82.0)

Uncertain Islamic Fractional Gold Dinar Coin or Religious Token. (VF+) 0.71gm!

Mint Place: Uncertain Region: North Africa? Culture: Fatimid Empire? References: Album -, Nicol -. Condition: Lightly deformed, otherwise VF. Denomination: Fractional Gold Dinar (1/4 Dinar?) or Gold Religous Token? Diameter: 13mm Weight: 0.71gm

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The Fatimid Caliphate or al-Fatimiyyun was an Arab Shi'a dynasty that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Egypt, Sicily, Malta and the Levant from 5 January 909 to 1171. The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the Egyptian city of Cairo as their capital. The term Fatimite is sometimes used to refer to the citizens of this caliphate. The ruling elite of the state belonged to the Ismaili branch of Shi'ism. The leaders of the dynasty were also Shia Ismaili Imams, hence, they had a religious significance to Ismaili Muslims. They are also part of the chain of holders of the office of Caliph, as recognized by most Muslims. Therefore, this constitutes a rare period in history in which some form of the Shia Imamate and the Caliphate were united to any degree, excepting the Caliphate of Ali himself. It should be noted here, however, that these Ismaili Imams are not considered rightful Imams (nor seen to possess any other spiritual or religious significance) by the overwhelming majority of Shias (the Twelvers). Thus, most Shias would not consider the Fatimid period of rule as a unification of Caliphate and Imamate. With exceptions, the Fatimids were reputed to exercise a degree of religious tolerance towards non-Ismaili sects of Islam as well as towards Jews, Maltese Christians and Coptic Christians.