AH 618 (1221 AD) Great Mongols / Malik of Kurzuwan Jital | NGC VF 35 BN – Ex. Robert Tye Pedigree.
Item Overview
An exceptional Choice Very Fine specimen from one of the most famous siege issues in medieval history! Minted in the fortress city of Kurzuwan (modern Afghanistan) during the summer of 1221 AD (AH 618), this emergency bronze jital was produced while the city was surrounded by the forces of Genghis Khan.
Graded VF 35 BN by NGC, this piece sits at the top tier of Very Fine survivors, showcasing remarkably sharp, defined Kufic lettering. It is further distinguished by its Ex. Robert Tye Collection pedigree noted directly on the NGC slab—placing its origin in the personal cabinet of the world's foremost scholar on medieval jital coinage.
Specifications & Certification
| Attribute | Details |
| Certification | NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) |
| Grade / Color | VF 35 BN (Choice Very Fine 35, Brown) |
| Pedigree | Ex. Robert Tye Collection (Author of "Jitals") |
| Issuer / City | Great Mongols / Emergency Siege Issue of Kurzuwan |
| Ruler | Anonymous Issue citing Al-Malik ("The Prince") |
| Date | AH 618 / 1221 AD (Month of Rabi II or Jumada I) |
| Denomination | Jital (Bronze / Copper) |
| Catalog Reference | Tye 324 / Album 1971 / Nyamaa 31 |
Design & Features
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Obverse: Stamped with the central royal title المٰلك (Al-Malik / "The Ruler") in bold Kufic script, encircled by a marginal inscription dating the coin to the siege of AH 618.
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Reverse: Features four crisp lines of Arabic text bearing the mint location کرزوان (Kurzuwan) alongside the Kalima (the Islamic profession of faith).
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Choice Detail: At VF 35, this coin exhibits nearly complete outer lettering borders and unusually high relief on the central Kufic calligraphic characters—far superior to typical worn or crudely struck siege coppers.
Historical Significance & Provenance
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Genghis Khan’s Invasion: Struck during a brief, desperate period in June/July 1221 AD as Genghis Khan’s armies besieged Kurzuwan. Produced to pay city defenders and sustain local trade, these coins circulated briefly before the fortress fell and was completely destroyed.
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True Medieval Siege Currency: Authentic emergency siege coins from the 13th-century Islamic world are remarkably rare, offering a tangible connection to the Mongol conquests of Central Asia.
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Unmatched Pedigree: Provenanced to the collection of Robert Tye, author of the definitive reference work Jitals (1995), guaranteeing unquestioned authenticity and top-tier historical pedigree.
