GIRAY KHANS: Shahin Giray, 1777-1783, AR 20 para (yirmilik, ¼ rouble) (7.48g), Baghcha-Saray, AH1191 year 5, A-A2113, Ret-162/164var, Sariev-331 (same dies), 2nd monetary series; standard obverse, toughra reverse with ornate flower left & right, floral pattern edge, couple tiny scratches on the reverse, lovely VF, RRR, ex Dick Nauta Collection.

The Giray Khans were the rulers of the Crimean Khanate from 1441 to 1783.  The Khanate was also known by following names; Qırım Hanlığı, Qırım Yurtu, Great Horde, Desht-i Kipchak, and in old European historiography and geography as Little Tartary or Tartaria Minor. This Crimean Tatar state was the longest-lived of the Turkic khanates that succeeded the empire of the Golden Horde. Established by Hacı I Giray in 1441, it was regarded as the direct heir to the Golden Horde and to Desht-i-Kipchak. The Giray Khanate was annexed by Catherine the Great of Russia. On 8 April 1783, in violation of the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, Catherine II intervened in the civil war, de facto annexing the whole Crimean Peninsula as the Taurida Governorate.

Estimate: 2,000-2,600 USD