Al Mustansir Billah, The eighth Caliph to rule the Fatimid dynasty was born today on 5th July 1029. His reign of 58 years was the longest reign of any Caliph. He inherited the rule of the most powerful Muslim state of the time.

He was born in Cairo, to Ali az-Zahir. At the age of seven years old, he became caliph. During the early years of his Caliphate, the state affairs were administered by his mother. Under his rule, Egypt was frequently the scene of pitched battles between bodies of soldiery, such as the Sudanese and Turks.

The above shown Bull’s eye type gold Dinar issued during his reign from Misr mint. The obverse of a coin depicts the Shiit Kalima and verse from the Quran in the three concentric lines around central pellet. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin has Caliph Name and title, mint name and date.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions