Ayyubids. Egypt. al-Kamil I Muhammad, AH 615-635 / AD 1218-1238. Dirham (Billon, 14 mm, 2.13 g, 11 h), Dirham aswad, citing caliph al-Mustansir, uncertain mint, presumably al-Qahira (Cairo), date off flan (circa AH 620s-630s). In two lines: al-malik al-kāmil (‘The perfect king (king Kamil)’ in Arabic). Margin largely illegible. Rev. In two lines: al-imām / al-manṣūr (‘The triumphant imam (imam al-manṣūr)’ in Arabic). Margin largely illegible. Album 815.4. Balog 410. Very rare and nicely toned. Some deposits, otherwise, good very fine.


This coin belongs to a group of billon issues commonly referred to as dirham aswad, produced in Egypt under al-Kāmil Muḥammad I during a period of monetary instability in the early 7th century AH. Contemporary sources such as al-Maqrīzī describe significant disruption to the currency system at this time, associated with broader economic pressures during the period of the Crusades, including the Damietta campaign.

The term aswad ('black' in Arabic) refers to the dark appearance of these coins, resulting from their debased alloy, rather than to a formal denomination. These issues are typically crudely engraved and weakly struck, often with incomplete or off-center legends, making well-preserved specimens relatively desirable.