GIRAY KHANS: Shahin Giray, 1777-1783, AE ischal (77.25g), Kaffa, AH1191 year 5, A-2117, Ret-235, Sariev-470, 53mm, toughra reverse, with one knot ornament left, struck on a reasonably well-made planchet, bold VF-EF, RR, ex Dick Nauta Collection. The ischal, also known as tschal, is a name derived from the Persian word "chahal", meaning "40". The ischal alloy is said to be a billon alloy containing 5% silver, but that has never been verified.

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: 1,400-1,800 USD