Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3021 6-7 January 2013
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Islamic Dynasties
Seljuqs of Rum, Sulayman II, AH 592-600 / AD 1196-1204, silver dirham (3.02g, 23mm). Kayseri AH 595, horseman right, large six-point star behind the rider, A‑1204. Very rare! Choice Very Fine.By AD 1200, the Seljuqs of Rum (or Rome, by which the formerly Byzantine lands of Anatolia were still known) were at the height of their power and enjoyed great independence. This is a fact reflected in their coins, which now replaced the Great Seljuq coinage as the most reliable means of trade in the region. Culturally, the Seljuqs of Rum, via their contacts with the east, seem to have created a great mix of Iranian, Greek, and Turkish cultural markers. Their nomenclature, initially Turkish, soon gained Persian colors, with the son of Kilij Arsalan being called Kay Khosrow I, and his descendants being known as Kay Qobad and Kay Kaus. In 1205, Kay Khosrow defeated the Crusaders, and soon expanded his power to the shores of the Mediterranean. By 1215, the Seljuqs of Rum were in charge of most of the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia and had made the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond their vassals. In Syria, however, they had to deal with the formidable power of the Ayyubids who also were making ways into Anatolia by controlling Amid, Miyafarqin, and even Diyarbakr. The Mongol conquests also greatly reduced their power, effectively making them vassals of the Great Kahn. The Seljuqs of Rum are known for their patronage of architecture and art. Many great sites in Konya, Nicea, Kaysari, and Antaliya remain from their reign. Importantly, their coinage, which they managed to keep in high quality, continued to be used in the Ottoman territories until the advent of that dynasties own coinage system.
Estimate: 2000-2500 USD
Seljuqs of Rum, Sulayman II, AH 592-600 / AD 1196-1204, silver dirham (3.02g, 23mm). Kayseri AH 595, horseman right, large six-point star behind the rider, A‑1204. Very rare! Choice Very Fine.By AD 1200, the Seljuqs of Rum (or Rome, by which the formerly Byzantine lands of Anatolia were still known) were at the height of their power and enjoyed great independence. This is a fact reflected in their coins, which now replaced the Great Seljuq coinage as the most reliable means of trade in the region. Culturally, the Seljuqs of Rum, via their contacts with the east, seem to have created a great mix of Iranian, Greek, and Turkish cultural markers. Their nomenclature, initially Turkish, soon gained Persian colors, with the son of Kilij Arsalan being called Kay Khosrow I, and his descendants being known as Kay Qobad and Kay Kaus. In 1205, Kay Khosrow defeated the Crusaders, and soon expanded his power to the shores of the Mediterranean. By 1215, the Seljuqs of Rum were in charge of most of the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia and had made the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond their vassals. In Syria, however, they had to deal with the formidable power of the Ayyubids who also were making ways into Anatolia by controlling Amid, Miyafarqin, and even Diyarbakr. The Mongol conquests also greatly reduced their power, effectively making them vassals of the Great Kahn. The Seljuqs of Rum are known for their patronage of architecture and art. Many great sites in Konya, Nicea, Kaysari, and Antaliya remain from their reign. Importantly, their coinage, which they managed to keep in high quality, continued to be used in the Ottoman territories until the advent of that dynasties own coinage system.
Estimate: 2000-2500 USD