GIRAY KHANS: Shahin Giray, 1777-1783, LOT of 9 copper coins: denga: A-2120, 3rd series, year 5 (5.40g, VG, some scrapes); and kopeck: A-A2119, 2nd series, year 4 (6 pcs, 8.60g, 9.72g, 9.29g, 9.30g, 8.06g, and 9.00g, average VF condition, a few with slight porosity); and A-2119, 3rd series, year 5 (13.06g, VF, minor porosity), and year 7 (11.34g, VF, light porosity, extremely rare date); retail value $525, lot of 9 pieces, 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: 280-350 USD