ISLAMIC, Syria & al-Jazira (Pre-Seljuq). Mirdasids. Shibl al-Dawla Nasr I, AH 420-429 / AD 1029-1038. Dirham (Billon, 16 mm, 1.00 g, 10 h), Halab. Within a circle, ‘Ḥusām al-Dawla’ (‘Husam al-Dawla’ in Arabic), referring to Abu ʿAli Muhammad; inner margin, ‘[lā ilāha] illā Allāh Muḥammad rasūl Allāh [ʿAlī walī Allāh]’ (‘There is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah’); outer margin illegible. Rev. Citing the ruler within a circle as ‘Shams al-Dawla’ (‘Shams al-Dawla’ in Arabic); inner margin, citing the Fatimid caliph al-Mustansir billah (AH 427-487 / AD 1036-1094); outer margin off flan. Album 767. Rare. Slightly rough, otherwise, very fine.