Contributions To the Knowledge of the Standard of Fineness of Silver Coinage Struck in Egypt and Syria During the Period of the Crusades

Abstract

301 In summation, these findings, being based upon substantial quantities of silver, provide us with evidence which substantiates al-Maqrizi's report regarding the alloy of the Zahiri dirhams. The evidence provided by the neutron activation analysis of the Karak hoard shows the alloy to be of equal purity to that reported by al-Maqrizi. Furthermore, these findings reveal a successful effort by Baybars and successors to maintain a 70 percent standard of fineness for their silver issues. S � li � Kh. S � R � Yarmouk University, Jordan CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STANDARD OF FINENESS OF SILVER COINAGE STRUCK