Genghis Khan, Gold Dinar, Ghazna

Great Mongols, Genghis Khan (AH 603-624 / 1206-27 AD), gold Dinar, Ghazna AH 618, khalima, reference to the Abbasid Caliph, al-Nasir li-din Allah, as amir al muminin [commander of the faithful], rev. titles al-Khaqan / al-'adil / al-'azam / Chingiz Khan, in four lines mint and date (off flan) around, 2.09g (Album 1964). Areas of weak striking, extremely fine and very rare.

Of the highest rarity and historical significance.

Rising to power, in 1206 the Mongol leader Temüjin was given the title by which he's known "Chingiz Khan" (Genghis Khan). His personal name is never written on his coinage. Despite his 21 year reign, his extensive empire and the power he commanded, his gold coinage is extremely rare. In the region of a mere 200 Chingiz gold coins are known despite him controlling much of the Caucasus, Mongolia, China, Korea and beyond by the time of his death in 1227. On this coin Khan cites the Abbasid Caliph, al-Nasir. Although the coin appears explicitly Islamic it is of note that Chingiz was in fact a Tengrist, though tolerant of other religions. It is likely that the coin represents a certain amount of political and economic pragmatism on the Mongol leader's part, choosing a coinage that would be recognisable and acceptable to the people likely to use it, within the context of a changing political landscape.

The weight of this coinage varies from just over 2.0g (this piece) to about 5.5g.