Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Malik-Shah I

1 catalogued issue of Malik-Shah I — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Malik Shah I (1072–1092) ruled the Great Seljuq empire at its greatest extent, from Anatolia to Central Asia, and his gold dinars circulated across the whole of that span. Malik-Shah I issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1072 CE – 1092 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold at Isfahan, Nishapur.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Malik-Shah I in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range1072 CE – 1092 CE
Eras representedArab-Sasanian & Early Islamic
MetalsGold
DenominationsDinar
MintsIsfahan, Nishapur
Reign1072–1092
VizierNizam al-Mulk
ExtentAnatolia to Central Asia
Coin noteCaliph named above the sultan

The Seljuq high point

Governing with the vizier Nizam al-Mulk, Malik Shah presided over administrative reform, the madrasa network of the Nizamiyya, and the calendar reform that produced the Jalali system Omar Khayyam helped compute.

His coinage names the Abbasid caliph above the sultan, the standard Seljuq expression of a divided sovereignty: religious authority in Baghdad, military power in Isfahan.

Seljuq gold in practice

Seljuq dinars are frequently struck on irregular, wavy or 'dished' flans with part of the legend off the coin — a production style, not damage. Fully legible mint-and-date examples therefore command real premiums.

The empire fragmented after his death in 1092, and the coinage of the successor states documents the split into Anatolian, Iraqi and Kirman branches.

Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic · 651 – 1258 CE

Era overview →

Great Seljuq Gold Dinar

Malik-Shah I

1072–1092 CE

Issued across a vast empire from Anatolia to Transoxiana.

Frequently asked about Malik-Shah I

Why do Seljuq coins name the caliph?
Because the Seljuq sultans held military power while recognising the Abbasid caliph as the source of religious legitimacy — both names therefore appear, caliph first.
Why are Seljuq dinars often off-centre?
Their production used irregular, sometimes dished flans, so partial legends are typical. Fully legible mint and date examples are proportionally scarce.
What coins did Malik-Shah I issue?
Malik-Shah I issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1072 CE – 1092 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold at Isfahan, Nishapur.
How many Malik-Shah I pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 1072 CE – 1092 CE, spread across 1 era: Arab-Sasanian & Early Islamic.
Which metals were used for Malik-Shah I coinage?
Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Malik-Shah I?
Dinar. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Malik-Shah I coins minted?
Recorded mints include Isfahan, Nishapur.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here