temp. Shaykh Hasan Buzurg, Jalayrid Ulus Beg of Baghdad AH 736-757/AD 1335-1356

A 2294, Fine

Baghdad mint (4.25gm). Within hexagon, unread tughra, presumably that of Shaykh Hasan; in margin, mint, date and titles ending with khallad Allah mulkahu. Reverse, looped pentalobe containing the Kalima, names of the Rashidun in margin segments. Extremely rare. This type, with a complementary issue in silver, represents the first use of the tughra on Islamic coinage. A tughra is a Turkish calligraphic monogram, representing a seal or signature. The tughra used by Hasan Buzurg has not been decyphered. Hasan Buzurg preferred to wield power behind the scenes as king-maker rather than king. He never styled himself sultan, retaining instead the title ulus beg (governor) although he was in fact acting as an autonomous ruler.

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