Of that lion whose abode is within the Lions Jaws, The lions of the universe are in great affright. Thought shouldst, O lion, from the Jaws show they teeth, Since these are in terror of the Lions Jaws. An envoy of the khwarezm leader Sultan Shah called the minstrel to sing these lines, as they lay encamped on the borders of the Ghorid empire, in a pass known as Daaman-i-Sher (the lions jaws). - Source: Tyes Jitals, referencing an account in jurjani. This very rare billon coin belongs to the Ghorid sultan, Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad bin Sam who resigned between 1163-1203AD. The Ghorid empire stretched from central Asia through the subcontinent as far as Bengal. The coin depicts a man riding a lion, with a dagger in hand. A popular depiction in the Islamic world based on the Hero Zir Salim of the Basus war in pre islamic Arabia. (See slide 3). The depiction can also refer to the subjugation of the khwarezm state (the lion). The other side reads: "Al-Sultan al muazzam Ghiyath al-duniya wa al-Din Abu 'l-fath Muhammad bin Sam." One specimen posted on zeno by vaxtankava (link) is a obverse die match to my coin, I combined both coins using photoshop to get a full view of the obverse:
Nice coin and write up. Also nice Photoshop work combining the two images. It looks like he's broken the lion's tail, and is holding the remnant!
Very cool coin and write-up @Muhammad Niazi This is the only coin that I am even close to yours, but not a Lion... Islamic Ghorids of Ghazna AE Jital Muhammad Sam Mu'izz al-Din AH 567-602 - AD 1171-1206
