Qasimid Imam

1009 – 1367 AH

The Qasimid coinage consists principally of silver coins of various denominations, few of which are properly understood. The denominational names given here should be regarded as tentative. Determination of the denomination is complicated by the face that the weight range for each denomination is unprecedented broad. For example, the small denomination of the mid-11th/17th century was the buqsha, with individual specimens in the range of 0.3-0.5 gram. In 1070/1660 a heavier coin called khums kabir was introduced at a weight of 0.8-1.0 grams. In the early 18th century, a coin possibly called a dirham and weighing 2.5-3.0 grams was struck. Under al-Mahdi al-'Abbas, 1748-1775, there were four concurrent denominations, of which the coin of about 0.8 grams was probably the buqsha. After about 1190/1775, the silver coins were increasingly debased, nearly pure copper by the end of the series.