Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.
Auction 429 3-4 Nov 2021
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Mongol Ilkhans
Hülägü, 654-663 H/1256-1265 AD Dinar of 1 1/2 Mithqâl weight 661 H, al-Mawsil/Mosul (al-Mawsîl on the coin). Islamic creed and benediction for the prophet, mint/date formula with some vernacular forms of Arabic (wahid instead of ihdâ in the date), rev. name and title of the Great khan as Mankû and of Hülägü as "khân al-mu'zam" without the title as Ilkhân. Album 2121.1; Diler H18; Heidemann, Kalifat von Aleppo -. 6.55 g.; Very fine
Sotheby's October 1986 no. 905 (same pair of dies). The Mongol coinage of Mosul begins with the year 660 H./1262 AD but the very rare coins dated 661 H. in silver and gold still demonstrate the difficulties of the local die engraver to get accustomed to the direct rule of the invaders. Apparently the relation between the Great Khan and Hülägü was not quite clear. Möngke is given the correct title "qa'ân al-a'zam", the very powerful great khan, while Hülägü's correct title as Ilkhân is ommitted and the lower ranking "khân al-mu'zam", simply the powerful khan presents the letter 'ain incorrectly in its initial form instead of a medial form as it has to appear in al-a'zam. This suggests some degree of insecurity about the correct titulature, which is continued by the following good wish "may his power increase" instead of the correct dual form for both rulers "may their power increase". As the Mongol takeover caused not only death but equally streams of refugees seeking safety in Syria and Egypt one may speculate about the effects on the availability of qualified die engravers. At the same time the quality of the gold and the technical skills of striking in the mints remained unharmed in Baghdad and Mosul although the volume of mintage obviously declined.
Hülägü, 654-663 H/1256-1265 AD Dinar of 1 1/2 Mithqâl weight 661 H, al-Mawsil/Mosul (al-Mawsîl on the coin). Islamic creed and benediction for the prophet, mint/date formula with some vernacular forms of Arabic (wahid instead of ihdâ in the date), rev. name and title of the Great khan as Mankû and of Hülägü as "khân al-mu'zam" without the title as Ilkhân. Album 2121.1; Diler H18; Heidemann, Kalifat von Aleppo -. 6.55 g.; Very fine
Sotheby's October 1986 no. 905 (same pair of dies). The Mongol coinage of Mosul begins with the year 660 H./1262 AD but the very rare coins dated 661 H. in silver and gold still demonstrate the difficulties of the local die engraver to get accustomed to the direct rule of the invaders. Apparently the relation between the Great Khan and Hülägü was not quite clear. Möngke is given the correct title "qa'ân al-a'zam", the very powerful great khan, while Hülägü's correct title as Ilkhân is ommitted and the lower ranking "khân al-mu'zam", simply the powerful khan presents the letter 'ain incorrectly in its initial form instead of a medial form as it has to appear in al-a'zam. This suggests some degree of insecurity about the correct titulature, which is continued by the following good wish "may his power increase" instead of the correct dual form for both rulers "may their power increase". As the Mongol takeover caused not only death but equally streams of refugees seeking safety in Syria and Egypt one may speculate about the effects on the availability of qualified die engravers. At the same time the quality of the gold and the technical skills of striking in the mints remained unharmed in Baghdad and Mosul although the volume of mintage obviously declined.