Al-Zahir Ghazi was the third and most competent of Saladin’s sons, who became Ayyubid Amir of Aleppo from 1186 to 1216 AD. His lands included northern Syria and a small part of Mesopotamia.

Before his death, Saladin had divided his dominions amongst his kin: Al-Afdal received Palestine and Syria, Al-Aziz was made the ruler of Egypt, Al-Zahir received Aleppo, Al-Adil received Karak and Shawbak, and Turan-Shah retained Yemen. In 1186, when Al-Zahir was 15 years of age, his father appointed him governor of Aleppo, Mosul and supporting areas which had recently been taken from the Zengids.

The above shown silver Dirham was issued during his reign from Halab mint. The obverse of a coin depicted the Persian legend ‘Al-imam / al-Nasir Ahmad / al-malik al-’adil / Abu Bakr’ (the Imam al-Nasir Ahmad, the Just King, Abu Bakr). On the other hand, the reverse of a coin bore the legend ‘Al-malik / al-zahir ghazi/ibn Yusuf ibn / Ayyub’ (the King, al-Zahir Ghazi ibn Yusuf ibn Ayyub). The inscription is depicted within a beautiful six-pointed star. Image Source: Heritage Auctions