Egypt was part of the Abbasid Empire during the 9th century. This changed temporarily in 868, however, when the Abbasid Caliph assigned the Turkish officer Ahmad ibn Tulun as governor of Egypt. Tulun took advantage of the quarrels within the Abbasid Empire and declared Egypt independent. The Caliph never recognized this independence, but it was not before 905 that the Abbasids managed to regain control over the land on the Nile. The Tulunids issued coins following the style of the Abbasid currency. Their dinars were of fine workmanship and of consistent weights and gold contents. This is why they were readily accepted and widely used as trading coins throughout the Mediterranean. The reverse gave the name of the respective Tulunid ruler – the issuer of this dinar was Khumarawayh ibn Ahmad, the son of the founder of the dynasty.