Brief history of coins in ancient states on the territory of Mongolia

The Hunnus established first powerful state on the territory of Mongolia at the end of 3 centery BC (209 BC-93AD).As mentioned in works of some historians, the Hunnus minted and used the specific type of "needle shaped knife coins". These "needle shaped knife coins" were first been found in 1932, 1937 and 1941 from the place named Khaluun Gol Chan-de (Ja-khe), the old territory of Hunnus . In 6-8th centeries AD the Turkish khaganat was established in Orkhon valley.
The territory of Turkish khaganat in that time was extended from Korea to Caspian sea for 10000 li and fromdesert to Lake Baikal for 6000 li. The khagan of Western Turkish khaganat Datu took several measures in order to overcome numerious economic difficulties, including the minting of coins and using it in trading.

The iron coin of kidan state(907- 1121AD)

Front side has pictur of 12 years cycle animals and reverse side has silhouette of 12 people(children).

 

 

Coins of the Mongolian Empire

In 1206 the Great Khuruldai (Assembly) of he Mongolian noblemen was convened at the beginning of the Onon river and officially proclaimed the establisment of the Mongolian Empire which united mongolian tribes and states. This Khuruldai proclaimed the Temujin as Chinggis Khagan-the Great Emperor of Mongolia.
Soon after the establishment of the Empire,Chinggis Khagan started to mint first silver coins. The historians mentioned that this coin had a picture of horse rider with sword. It is reffered in numerious works on numismatics that though there are no coins minted by the order of th Great Khagans were found from the territory of Mongolia , the golden,silver or bronze coins, minted on their behalf in countries conquered by the Mongolian Empire, have been preserved in private museums' collections of various countries.

 

Coins of the Mongolian Khagan in Iran (Ilkhanid)

After Mongolian conquest of Iran this country was mentioned in historical chronicles as "Ilkhanid". Also it is well known as "Country of Hulagu" by the name of Mongolian Khan Hulagu who established this khaganat. Actually it was the Mongoian Khaganat in Iran . This khaganat embraced the territory of Iran , Syria , Armenia , Rum , Azerbaijan , Georgia ,Afganistan and Kurdistan . The capital city first was the Maragad and later Tabriz . The Mongolian Khaganat in Iran existed for about 100 years (1256-1365). In 1250 the great Khuruldai of the Mongolian Empire - Kharkhorum and enthroned the Munkhe, son of Tului as a Great Khagan of Mongolia . Munkhe Khagan ordered to his youner brother Khubilai to conquer and govern the China and send the brother Hulagu to the South East Asia .
In 1255 Munke khagan with his troops started military campaign against South China in order to help Khubilai. In that time the Ilkhan's country of Hulagu has occupied vast territory from /golden Horde on the North to the Chaghataid in Central Asia on the north east and has bordered with Egiptian Mamelyuks on south west and west. The Silk Road connecting East and west was crossing the territory of this country and played an important role in its trade and economic development. Hulagu herd about the death of Munkhe Khagan only an year later, in 1258. Though this country was formally under the rule of the Great Khagan of Mongolia, his influence was minimal due to remote location of the country. It is considered that since 1260 the Hulagu State (Ilkhans) became independent. Since that time the title of khagan on the coins has been changed into "Great Ilkhan".

Coins of the Mongolian khaganat in Russia (Golden Horde)

In 1223 the Mongolian tropps invanded to South Eastern Europe and conquered this territory. Chinggis khagan divided the occupied lands among his four sons and gave under the rule of his eldest son Zuchi the lands centered around Desht-e-Kipchak and located far away from Mongolia . In 1236, Batu, the son of Zuchi , came with Subedei Baatar to rule here and also conquered Bulgaria, Qrim, Caucasus, Derbent, Russian counties of Ryazani, Vladimir as well as Novgorod and Kiev . So, large empire with vast territory was established in a result of occupying the Desht-e-Kipchak and its surroundings. In oriental sources it was mentioned as Golden Horde. Though Golden Horde was named as country of Zuchi, its real founder is Batu, son of Zuchi.
Batu khan established the capital city of the Golden Horde in lower Povoljie and named it Sarai-Batu. Till the time of Uzbek khan this city maintained its status of the capital city. Berkhe khan built up another city which was called Sarai-Berkhe and became the capital since the time of Uzbek khan. Batu khan was in power in 1237-1256. He was very strong energetic warrior wih good organizational skills and has good reputation among the khans of the Mongolian Empire. It is considered that Batu khan played decisive role in enthroning the Munkhe Khagan. Batu Khan died in 1256 at age of 48.
During the period of Golden Horde, first coins were minted in Bulgaria . In 1250-1260, the Bulgaria was the main economic center of the Golden Horde. Silver and copper coins were minted there. Coins started to be mint since 1270 in Khwarezm and since 1282 in Sarai. Since the beginning of 14 th century large amount of silver coins had been widely used in Bulgaria in Volga, Moldovia, Qrim, Mordovia, North Caucasus . In capital Sarai the coins have been mint since the end of 13 th till the beginnig of 15 th century while in New Sarai (Sarai Berkhe)- since 1340 till the end of 14 th century.

Bronze Jital of Togtu Khan

Unknown where and when was mint. On the front side there is silhouette of human head and on the reverse side was depicted the Tamgha of Batu Khan.

Bronze Jital of Uzbek Khan

Minted in Qrim. On the front side there are four Tamghas of Batu khan, arranged in a circle. On the reverse side there is Persian inscriptions.

Coins of the Mongolian Khaganat in Middle Asia (Chaghataid)

Military campaign of the mongolian troops had started in 1219 with occupation of cities located at the end of Sir Darya river, Otrar and then Bukhara , Samarkand , Hodjent and Amu Darya With conquest of Khwarezm in 1221 the war of Mongolian in the Middle Asia came to an end. Upon successful completion of military campaigns towards east and south, Chinggis khan returned to Mongolia and in 1225 devided the occupied territories among his successors for further rule. The Great Khagan gave the whole territory of Middle Asia with capital in Samarkand , located between Amy Darya and Sir Darya, at the disposal of his second son Chaghatai. Therefore, the Mongolian khaganat in Middle Asia was also named as Chaghatai's Ulus,the Mongolian khaganat in Middle Asia had existed for 125 years in 1221-1346. Silver plated copper dirham has been used in trade of the Middle Asia before the mongolian invasion.
These coins were minted in huge amount in Binaket, Bukhara , Marginan, Samarkand , Termez, Uzgend, chaganian, other cities and whole Middle Asia has been supplied with them. Along with silver plated copper dirham, the golden and silver coins, copper fals were minted and used in the Mongolian Khaganat in Middle Asia Various types of Tamghas were depicted on silver plated cooper dirhams.

Silver dinar of Kibak Khan

Minted in 1320 in Bukhara. On the front side of the coins was written in Arabian "Kibak Khan" on the reverse side was carved the chaghatai Khan's stamp.

Silver tanka of Timurad Shah Rukh Khan

Minted in 1430 in Herat. On the front side of the coin was written "The Sultan Shakh Rukh Bahadur Khan. God immortalize his reign", "minted in Herat 829". One the reverse side were written in Arabian: "There is no god, but Allah. Muhammad is the messanger of Allah".

Coins of the Mongolian Khaganat in China (Yuan Dynasty)

After the death of the fourth Great Khagan of the Mongolian Empire-Munkhe-Khubilai khagan established the Yuan Dynasty. This put the starting point to the collapse of the Mongolian Empire and its division into number of separate countries. Before leaving to conquer the Sun Dynasty of southern China , Munkhe khagan authorised his younger brother Arigbukh to rule over the native mongolian territory. But in 1260,after the death of Munkhe khagan, Khubilai announced himself as the Great Khagan of Mongolia, named his Empire as Yuan and made the Chinese city Kaipin (shandu) the capital of the Empire. During the Yuan
Dynasty coins were minted from verious metals. The coins with mongolian square script invented by Pagspha Lama in 1267 and adopted as the state script were minted during the rule of first khans of Yuan Dynasty. But mostly these coins had chinese inscriptions. During the Yuan Dynasty the coin called "money to benefit all" or "Gun yan tsyan" were minted. These coins were not been used in trading activities but have been spent for the purpose of caring after poor people. Khans of Yuan Dynasty minted the golden and silver coins. For example, during the rule of Khubilai khagan the golden coin named "Chin-Yuan-Tung-Bao" and "Da Chao Tung Bao" during the rule of Uljaitu khan (1295-1297) the silver coin called "Yuan Jen-Tung-Bao", "Uljaitu khan's passing treasure" have been issued. The Mongolian khaganat in China (Yuan Dynasty) had existed for more than 100 years-since 1260 till 1367.

The silver coin of Khubilai khan

This silver coin was issued in the reign of Khubilai Khan in 1260. On the obverse:"Da ChaoTung Bao" in chinese. It's means "Great Dynasty Circulating Treasure". Reverse side had a two countermarks. On of the shown above countermarks is definetly non-Chinese and similar to "S
" Tamgha of Mahmud Yalavach family. Mahmud Yalavach was one of the Khubilai Khan viziers. The second Tamgha is similar to Munkhe Khan Tamgha

COINS CIRCULATED IN (1925-2002)

Between 1925-2001,the coins for circulation were issued in Mongolia 10 times (1925, 1937, 1945, 1959, 1970, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1994, 2001). These coins were minted in former USSR , China , former GDR, but since 1970 they also been started to be minted in Mongolia . The coins were made of silver, nickel, aluminum copper, aluminum and copper. These coins have traditional Mongolian inscriptions, decorated with State Emblem, golden Soyombo and therefore, attracts the interest of numismaticsts.

5 mongo, aluminum in 1959