The Classical Economies Collection

GREAT KHANS

Chingiz (Temujin)
AH 602-624 / AD 1206-1227

AR Dirham (3.08 g, 16mm, 8).

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Ref:

Notes: This is the sole silver coin type bearing the name of Chingiz Khan. It was apparently a long-lived issue, evidenced by a declining silver quality, from fine silver to nearly bronze. Good silver issues, as the present coin, are fairly rare. The obverse has the titles and name of Chingiz, while the reverse has the name and title of the reigning Abbasid caliph. The struck date of this issue is based on SICA 9, with the commentary that these coins are "believed to have been struck at Ghazna during the Mongol pursuit of Jalal al-Din Khwarizmshah in [AH] 617-618." See the Khwarezm Shahs section of this collection for an example of the prototype for this type of Chingiz.

temp. Ögedei
AH 624-639 / AD 1227-1241

AR Dirham (3.18 g, 15mm, 12). Citing Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir.

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Uncertain eastern mint.
Uncertain.
Persian legend:
         be-qouvvat-e | aferidegar | ['alam]
         (By the power of | the Creator of | [the world])
Ornament above.
Persian legend:
         al-Mustansir | billah, amir | [al-mu'minin]
         (al-Mustansir | billah, Commander | of the faithful)
Ornament above.
Nyamaa 9; Album 1978K.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 78 (14 May 2008), lot 1939.

Notes: All of the references list the obverse legend as simply be-qouvvat-e aferidegar (By the power of the Creator). However, this only is the first two lines. On examples with full legends visible, clearly the third line is an additional word that reads 'alam (the world).

temp. Güyük
AH 644-646 / AD 1246-1248

AR Dirham (1.09 g, 14mm, 5).

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Uncertain mint (in Chagatayid region).
Uncertain.
Kufic legend:
         la ilah | illa Allah
         (There is no diety | except God)
Ornaments around.
Tamgha of Güyük flanked by floral ornaments.
Marginal Kufic legend:
         [...] al-adil [...]
         (same)
Nyamaa p. 51; Album -.

Notes: This type has been given to a mint in the area of Khwarizm, but the epigraphy and metrology (size and weight) suggest a location more likely to the east, in the Chagatai heartland.

Ariq Böke
AH 658-662 / AD 1260-1264

AR Dirham (0.76 g, 15mm, 7).

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Bulghar mint.
Uncertain.
Kufic legend:
         Ariq Böke | qa'an (al-a)'zam
         (Ariq Böke | the great Khaqaan)
Ornaments around.
Kufic legend, above and below tamgha of Ariq Böke:
         dariba | Bulghar
         (struck at | Bulghar)
Nyamaa 23; Album 2018 (Golden Horde).
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 78 (14 May 2008), lot 1944.

Notes: With the exception of Chingiz Khan, all of the Great Khans' coins were struck by their vassals; practically none are known from the Mongol homeland that was under the direct rule of the Khaqaan. This particular issue was struck under Ariq's vassal, Berke, khan of the Golden Horde, in whose domain Bulghar was located.