I acquired this silver coin in 1991 from Mr. Joel Anderson, Great Numismatist. He identified it as follows: "North Africa, Zirids, Sharaf al-Dawla al-Mu'izz (AH 406–454 /

AD 1016–1062), AR 1/2 Dirham, No-Mint, No-Date".  Although I have held this coin for 35 years, I have yet to find definitive confirmation for this attribution.  The Zeno

database lists 14 entries for coins issued by this ruler (such as Zeno-377616), but all of them are gold coins; this specific silver coin does not appear among them. Through

further research, I discovered that the Zirids of Granada—a dynasty that branched off from the Zirids—issued silver coins, including specimens like Zeno-115940, which

bear a resemblance to this piece. This listing has been prepared under the working hypothesis that the coin originated with the Zirids of Granada. 

I hope that the next owner will refine this identification further.  Thank you.

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This Silver Dirham coin was issued under amir Badis bin Habbus (AH 429-466, 1038-1073 AD) of the Zirids of Granada (the Taifa of Granada), in Southern Spain. 

The size is 16 x 15 mm, and the weight is 1.69 gr.  Worn for the long circulation.  The design is partially visible.  It was minted in Granada City (  غرناطه , Gharnatah, now

Granada), the capital.  The Numista rarity index of Numista-212190, is "95".   Extremely rare and hard to get.  

Zeno-115926 was sold at 320 USD in the Stephen Album Rare Coins Auction, Auction 7, Lot 151.

The Zirid Kingdom of Granada was a Muslim kingdom that was formed in al-Andalus (in present-say Spain) in 1013 following the deposition of Umayyad Caliph Hisham

II in 1009.  The kingdom was centered on Granada, its capital, and it also extended its control to Malaga for a period.  Four kings succeeded each other during its nearly

80 years of existence. all of them belonging to an offshoot of the Zirid dynasty of North Africa, a Sanhaja Berber clan.   The Zirids of Granada was considered to be the

wealthiest out of all of the taifa kingdoms.  It was eventually conquered by the Almoravids in 1090, putting an end to Zirid rule in Granada.

Badis ibn Habus was the third Berber king of the Zirids of Granada.  He ruled between 1038 and 1073.  A member of the Berber Zirid dynasty, Badis ibn Habus

succeeded to the throne of the Taifa of Granada upon the death of his father, Habbus al-Muzaffar.

[The above explanations are quoted from Wikipedia on each item.]

I will attach a share free historical map of "The Zirids of Granada in 1037".   Granada City, the mint-city and the capital, is located at (37.1771, -3.5917) in the google

location system.  I will attach some photos of the city from the google map system and from the google street view system. 

Silver Dirham coin.    Worn for the long circulation.  The design is partially visible.  Extremely rare and hard to get.  

Provenance: Ex Mr. Joel Anderson, Great Numismatist, who lives in California State, USA.  I have received it in 1991.  35 years ago.     

Catalogue number is Zeno-115940, Zeno-115926, and Numista-212190.     

      Zeno List online catalogue is "Zeno. Ru - Oriental Coins Database".

      Numista Catalogue is "Coin Catalogue-Numista", a unique platform to learn, collect, swap and share about numismatics.

Size: 16 x 15 mm.   Weight: 1.69 gr.

★★Next Auction: Start on 18th November (Wed.) / End on 28th November (Sat.).  For 10 days.★★