Watch List notes:

BURJI MAMLUK, YALBAY or BILBAY (872h) Ashrafi, mint and date missing Obverse: in two lines: [al-Sulta]n al-Malik al-Z[ahir] | Abu Sa'id Yalbay 'azz nasrahu | traces of unread word Weight: 3.42g References: Balog, Coinage of the Mamluk Sultans: Additions and Corrections 800B; Album 1023 RRR Good very fine and extremely rare. Gold coins of Yalbay (whose name is also given as Bilbay in some references) are among the greatest rarities of the Mamluk series. Balog knew of no coins whatsoever of this short-lived sultan when he finished his work on the coinage of the Mamluks in 1964, but he was able to include a single gold ashrafi in the Additions and Corrections published in 1970. It is thought that some three or four specimens, including the piece offered here, are known today. Yalbay succeeded Khushqadam, who died of dysentery in 872h. Unable to overcome the influence of other mamluks recruited by his predecessor, he reigned for less than two months before being deposed in favour of another ephemeral ruler, Timurbugha, who was himself overthrown later in the same year by Qa'itbay. While Timurbugha was allowed to live on in honourable retirement, Yalbay was less fortunate and died in 873h.

(2000-2500 GBP)