AH 618 (1221 AD) Great Mongols / Malik of Kurzuwan Jital | NGC XF 45 BN – Ex. Robert Tye Pedigree / Top Census Rarity.

Item Overview

An extraordinary, high-grade condition rarity from one of the most famous siege issues in world history! Struck in the fortified city of Kurzuwan (in modern-day northern Afghanistan) during the summer of 1221 AD (AH 618), this emergency bronze jital was produced while the city was under active, relentless siege by the armies of Genghis Khan.

Graded XF 45 BN (Choice Extremely Fine) by NGC, this coin sits near the absolute apex of all surviving examples worldwide—with only 2 coins graded higher across the entire NGC census. It is further elevated by its prestigious Ex. Robert Tye Collection pedigree notation on the slab, placing its lineage directly in the personal cabinet of the scholar who authored the definitive catalog on medieval jitals.

Specifications & Certification

NGC Census & Unmatched Condition Rarity

Because emergency siege coins were struck rapidly under desperate military conditions and circulated heavily during war, almost all surviving Kurzuwan jitals exhibit flat strikes, off-center dies, or heavy wear. Finding a Choice XF example is a rare occurrence:

• Total Graded by NGC in XF 45 BN: 12

• Graded Higher by NGC: 2

Rarity Highlight: Standing near the top of the official population report with only two coins certified higher in the world, this specimen is a premier condition-census trophy for serious medieval, Islamic, or Mongol Empire specialists.

Design & Diagnostic Features

• Obverse: Displays the central royal title المٰلك (Al-Malik / "The Ruler") in remarkably crisp, bold Kufic script, surrounded by a fully legible marginal inscription giving the exact month and year of the siege (AH 618).

• Reverse: Features four sharp, clearly raised lines of Arabic script containing the city name کرزوان (Kurzuwan) alongside the Kalima (the Islamic declaration of faith).

Notes: Struck in 1221 AD while the fortress of Kurzuwan was under active siege by Genghis Khan, this emergency bronze Jital is a rare surviving relic of the Mongol conquests. Certified Choice XF 45 BN by NGC with only two graded higher, it features exceptional calligraphic detail and carries prestigious provenance from the private cabinet of scholar Robert Tye.

• Surface Preservation: Shows full Choice XF detail with crisp calligraphic relief, zero harsh oxidation, and smooth, attractive dark chocolate-brown patination.

Historical Significance & Provenance

• Struck Under Siege by Genghis Khan: Minted over a window of just a few weeks in June/July 1221 AD as Mongol forces surrounded Kurzuwan. The local governor issued these bronze pieces to pay city defenders before the fortress ultimately fell and was completely destroyed.

• Tangible Relic of the Mongol Conquest: True emergency siege coins from 13th-century Central Asia are exceptionally scarce, providing an unmistakable physical link to Genghis Khan’s invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire.

• The Robert Tye Pedigree: Tracing back to the private cabinet of Robert Tye—author of Jitals (1995)—this coin carries unquestioned authenticity and top-tier scholarly provenance.