The Sixth Fatimid Caliph to rule the Fatimid Caliphate and the 16th Ismaili Imam, Al-Hakim Bi Amr Allah was born today on 13th August 985.

He was the first Fatimid Imam to born on Egyptian Soil. Abu Ali Mansur had been proclaimed as heir-apparent (wali al-‘ahd) in 993 CE and succeeded his father in 996 with the caliph title of al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah.

Al-Hakim noted for his cruelty, especially his persecutions of Christians and Jews. His religious persecutions affected Sunni Muslims as well. During the reign, he issued various gold coins. Depicted here is a gold Dinar struck under him from al-Manuriyah mint.

The obverse of the coin has inscription ‘La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammdaur Rasulullah Ali Walullah’ in the field. While the reverse of a coin showed legend ‘Abd Allah wa waliyuhu / al-imam al-hakim bi-amr Allah / amir al-mu’minin wa ‘abd al-Rahim / wali ‘ahd al-muslimin’ within field.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions