Besant sarracenatus or dinar soeri of the Crusaders, 1101-1129

Gold coin. Obverse: inscription in Arabic characters in two lines within a circle; double inscription in Arabic characters around the circle. Reverse: inscription in Arabic characters in two lines within a circle; double inscription in Arabic characters in two lines around the circle. Imitation of the dinar of el-Amir bi-akhami ïllah, 1101-1129, made by Italian bankers. A hole was later added to the coin plate to wear the coin as jewelry. The word besant is a corruption of Byzantium and refers to the Byzantine gold solidi. Sar[r]asenatus refers to the Saracens.