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996, Fatimid Empire, Al-Hakim. Scarce Gold 1/4 Dinar Coin. Sicily mint!

Culture: Fatimid Empire Mint Period: 996-1021 AD Denomination: Gold 1/4 Dinar Mint Place: Siqillyah (Sicily, Italy)  References: Nicol type F1, Album 710.  Condition: Minor deposits, possibly clipped or struck on an irregular planchet, otherwise VF! Diameter: 13mm Weight: 0.95gm Material: Gold!

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.

Bidwith confidence!

Abu 'Ali Mansur Tariqu l-Hakim, called Al-Hakim bi Amr al-Lah (Arabic:"Ruler by Allah's Command"), was the sixth Fatimid caliph and 16th Ismaili imam (996–1021).

Born in 985, Abu 'Ali "Mansur" succeeded his father Abu Mansur Nizar al-Aziz (975–996) at the age of eleven on 14 October, 996 with the caliphal title of al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah. He was the first Fatimid ruler to be born in Egypt.

Arguably the most controversial member of the Fatimid dynasty, Hakim confronted numerous difficulties and uprisings during his relatively long reign. While he did not lose any important territories in North Africa, the Ismaili communities there were attacked by Sunni fighters led by their influential Maliki jurists. Relations between the Fatimids and the Qarmatians of Bahrain also remained hostile. On the other hand, Hakim's Syrian policy was successful as he managed to extend Fatimid hegemony to the emirate of Aleppo. Above all, the persistent rivalries between the various factions of the Fatimid armies, especially the Berbers and the Turks, overshadowed the other problems of Hakim's caliphate.

Initially, Barjawan, his wasita (the equivalent of a vizier, as intermediary between ruler and subjects) acted as the virtual head of the Fatimid state. However, after the latter's removal in 1000, Hakim held the reins of power in his own hands limiting the authority and terms of office of his wasitas and viziers, of whom there were more than 15 during the remaining 20 years of his caliphate. Also Al-Hakim is a central figure in the history of the Druze religious sect. For much of his reign, Hakim was hostile to religious minorities, most notably demonstrated in his destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.