Mamluk (Bahri). Sha`ban II (al-Ashraf Nasir al-Din Sha`ban) (764-778 A.H. = 1363-1377 A.D.)

Balog 462 Plate XVII 462 var. (orientation of bendy); SNAT Hamah 615-616; Album 958

AE fals; Hamah mint, undated 776-778 A.H. = 1374-1377 A.D.; 1.62 g., 17.81 mm. max., 90°

Obv.: Solid border, circular border within; الملك الاشرف (= al-Malik al-Ashraf) between arabesque ornaments in center.

Rev.: Field divided into three horizontal segments, the central fesse segment bendy with seven pieces to left; بحما (= bi-Hamah) in upper segment, ضرب (= duriba/struck) in lower.

Sha'ban II was a grandson of Muhammad I, being the son of one of Muhammad's sons who never held office. In 1363, the senior Mamluk emirs, led by Emir Yalbugha, deposed Sultan Muhammad II on charges of illicit behavior and installed ten-year-old Sha'ban as his figurehead replacement. In 1366 Sha'ban, who sought to wield power, supported a successful revolt against Yalbugha. One year later, Sha'ban, who still had few mamluks of his own but was supported by the common people, quelled a rebellion. Again in 1373, the commoners assisted Sha'ban in defeating a rebellion. Because of their loyalty and key support during these revolts, Sha'ban treated the commoners well throughout his reign, including efforts to provide food for the poor during a two-year famine in Egypt. In 1376, Sha'ban went on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. In his absence emirs again rebelled against Sha'ban, which was followed by a rebellion of Sha'ban's own mamluk guard, who murdered him in 1377.