2 new coins from the Khwarazmian Empire In 1218 after the conquest of the Kara Khitan, The Mongols gained a border with the Khwarazmian Empire... Genghis Khan sent a letter to the Shah, Ala ad-Din Muhammad offering a alliance or trade agreement.. "I am master of the lands of the rising sun while you rule those of the setting sun. Let us conclude a firm treaty of friendship and peace." So shortly afterwards a Mongol caravan was sent to Khwarezmia.. Unfortunatly a local governor had them arrested on suspicion they were spies (which was unlikely).. Genghis sent 3 ambassadors to meet with the Shah to arrange for their release, however he had the 2 Mongol ambassadors shaved and the Muslim killed Genghis was... unhappy with this result... So he had the Khwarazmian Empire destroyed.. Muhammad II of Khwarezm 1200 - 1220 AD AE Jital Dated: Rabbi II AH 618 = June/July 1221 AD Album 1971 Struck by the local ruler Malik of Kurzuwan 3.4g, 20 MM This Coin was supposedly struck while the city was under siege by the Mongols... After about 2 months the city fell and all were killed.. and another Muhammad II of Khwarezm AR Dirham Ghazna Mint Album 1714? 4.6g 29 mm Ghazna appears to have fared slightly better than Kurzuwan, as the City was abandoned ahead of the Mongol arrival.. In the end it is estimated that 1.25 million people were killed which was 25% of the population of Khwarazmia(A Percentage higher than that suffered by any country in World War 2 and it happened in just 2 years without modern technology..)
This part of the world had at least as many dramatic historical events as the Roman Empire did. And that's also reflected in it's coinage. Thanks for drawing some attention to this again ! As addition here another copper issued under the authority of Ala al-din Muhammad KwarezmShah (text in Arab reads his name and title): ps. Your Dirham is Album-1715 (because of weight and double circular edge lines with text in between)
This is the guy that was ticked-off, and busted them: Great Mongols, Genghis (Chingiz) Khan, AH 603-624/ AD 1206-1227, AE Jital (4.12gm, 2h), Ghazna type, undated, citing Genghis as Khaqan and citing on the reverse, the 'Abbasid caliph al-Nasir. O: 'adl / khaqan / al-a'zam("the Just and Supreme Khaqan" or "Just [coin] of the Supreme Khaqan"). R: al-Nasir / li-Din Allah / amir al-mu- / -minin ("al-Nasir li-Din Allah, commander of the faithful"). SICA-9, 1008; Tye 329; Album 1969
That first jital posted is very special. If I recall correctly, its the only true siege coin of the Islamic world. Has anyone found anything else of Malik of Kurzuwan?
Some experts suggest that the "Malik of Kurzuwan" may not be a reference to any city ruler at all, but to the "supreme King", Allah. What i found more special is the two Genghis coins. At least one side is die identical. (Most clearly visible in deformation of middle character in upper line in left picture) Co-incidence, or reason for concern ?
The bottom is a coin from the Sultanate of Rûm under Kaykhusraw II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaykhusraw_II
Thanks Muzyck ... ummm, so it doesn't belong with the rest? (or were you merely helping me out with a coin ID?) ... thanks, either way Ummm, here is the info for my other two examples (in case you were trying to track-down the info ... sorry, I should have included the info when I did my initial post back in summer ... ahhhh, summer ... do you remember those good ol' days?) ISLAMIC, Mongols. Ilkhanids. Arghun. AR Dirham AH 683-690 / AD 1284-1291 Astarabad mint Diameter: 17 mm Weight: 2.75 grams Obverse: Reverse: Hawk type Reference: Diler Ar-173; cf. Album 2149.2; ICV ISLAMIC, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk), Zangids (al-Mawsil), Saif al-Din Ghazi II, Æ Dirhem AH 565-576 / AD 1170-1180 Dated AH 567 (AD 1171/2) Diameter: 30 mm Weight: 13.21 grams Obverse: Draped young male bust facing slightly left, wearing hair in foreknot; above, winged figures flanking; AH date to right and left Reverse: Name and titles of Saif al-Din Ghazi II in five lines and in outer margins Reference: Whelan Type I, 174-5; S&S Type 60.3; Album 1861.1 Oh, and I recently added another Seljuqs of Rum ... does this mean that this new addition also doesn't belong in this thread, or do the Seljuqs of Rum coins belong with the rest of the cool coins on this thread? => either way, here is my new Seljuqs addition ... SELJUQS OF RUM: GHIYATH AL-DIN KAI KHUSRU, AE-Fals First Reign: AH 588-597 (1191-1200 AD) Second Reign: AH 601-607 (1204-1210 AD) Diameter: 25 mm Weight: 2.40 grams Obverse: Horseman right carrying spear, two stars in field, dragon? below Reverse: Five line legend Reference: Kufic inscription, Fine, Paris 1647v
Ahaha, Muzyck => are you talking to me? ..... I liked your comment ... sadly, I don't know enough about some of the coin-history (I wasn't sure if you were telling me that the Seljuqs coins didn't belong in this thread?) I always like coin comments => especially if they're teaching me more about my cool coins. Thanks again for your comments cheers
I don't know much about ancient coins but I recently picked up this coin because the history is so interesting. I was told it is from Khwarezm Shahs, "Malik of Kurzuwan", the Kurzuwan mint dated AH 618, month Rabi II, roughly the equivalent of June of 1221AD. Does that sound right from the looks of it? Also it is clearly oxidizing. Is there anything I should do about that? My gut tells me to leave it alone.
Yes,"Kurzuwan" partly visible in the top line of your second picture. From what is visible of the edge text in your upper picture this is the Rabi II issue of this coin. For comparison, this is the later version issued during Jumada I. If the green corrosion is dry and powdery you should treat it as it will eat away your coin. If it is rock hard then better leave it alone and just keep an eye on it.
By treat it do you mean wash with soapy water with toothbrush, soak in olive oil and then run in an ultrasonic bath in soapy water and then rinse with IPA?
