About the three fractions of the Bulgarian dirham of Khan Mengu-Timur (1277–1281)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52967/3007-6528.2024.2.280.286Keywords:
сoin, dirham, fraction, metrology, Bulgarian vilayat, Mengu-Timur Khan, 13th centuryAbstract
This study examines the metrological and variational features of a single type of silver coin minted between 1277 and 1281. The author provides the weight data for all known specimens and concludes that there were three distinct weight groups – denominations. While differing slightly in details, all specimens share common elements: the issuer’s name, Mengu-Timur, and his tamga. The reverse side of all coins features a part of the Islamic creed: “There is no god but Allah”. A common characteristic is the absence of a toponym indicating the minting location. The largest number of specimens was recorded for type C/35, with 43 examples, allowing for the construction of a weight histogram and the identification of a mode at 1.08±0.02 g. Types C/34 and C/36 have far fewer specimens – 7 fractions and 10 dirhams, respectively. The average weight of the first ones is 0.45 g, and the latter is 1.49 g. Based on these findings, the author concludes that three denominations of the same coin type functioned simultaneously.
References
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Copyright (c) 2024 Алексей Игоревич Бугарчев (Автор)
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