Mamluk (Bahri). Mamluk. Hajji I (al-Muzaffar Sayf al-Din Hajji) (747-748 A.H. = 1346-1347 A.D.)

Balog 315 Plate XII 315; SNAT Hamah 480-481; Album 943

AE fals, Hamah mint, undated: 3.13 g., 21.32 mm. max., 270°

Obv.: Circular line border. Field divided by two horizontal lines (fesse). Ornament in upper and lower segments. االملك المظف (=al-Malik al-Muzaffar).

Rev.:Circular line border. Inverted linear dodekalobe, each point of arch crowned with tiny fleur-de-lis. In center: ضرب (=duriba/struck) / بحماة (bi-Hamah) in two lines.

Hajji was the sixth of Muhammad I's sons to serve as sultan, acceding to office at age 15. One year later, a group of Circassian mamluks angry at Hajji's killing of a senior Circassian emir in his retinue revolted against his rule. Hajji sought to eliminate them, but once he reached the outskirts of Cairo, his troops abandoned him. He was captured and killed. He was known for his love of sports and pigeon racing, acts which frustrated the senior Mamluk emirs who believed he neglected his duties and spent extravagant sums gambling.