Iran AH 1120 falus KM-21

Sincona sale 88, lot 10, the mintmark, اصفهان, is visible on the reverse with the date below

This specimen was lot 10 in Sincona sale 88 (Zurich, May 2024), where it sold for 400 CHF (about US$529 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"IRAN, Safavid Dynasty, Soltan Hosayn, 1105-1135 AH (1694-1722). Folus 1120 AH (1708), Isfahan Mint. Selten, Sehr schön-vorzüglich; Rare, Very fine-extremely fine. Purchased from M. Abgarians, Glendale, California, in 1988."

Soltan Hoseyn, a weak and dissolute ruler installed by the eunuchs and the harem, allowed his realm to disintegrate while he drank and debauched himself. The copper coinage was struck anonymously, without the shah's name, and generally very crude and poorly struck. The designs varied widely but usually featured an animal, such as the lion and sun shown here, or a bird.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper, this specimen 18.29 g.

Catalog reference: KM 21, Rabino pl. 31.18 (1127 AH), Kutelia 082 (1118 AH).

Source:

• Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 88, The Kian Collection - Part II, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2024.

Link to:

• AH 1117 (1705) 10 shahi, Isfahan mint
• AH 1117 ashrafi, Isfahan mint
• AH 1123 abbasi, Isfahan mint
• AH 1123 double abbasi, Isfahan mint
• Coins and currency dated 1708