Mongols. Ilkhanids. Sati Beg, AH 739 / AD 1338-1339. Dirham (Silver, 18 mm, 2.06 g, 12 h), type A, Alakiz (Alagyaz in Armenia), AH 739 = AD 1338/9. Within a central dotted circle, ‘lā ilāha illā / Allāh’ (‘There is no deity but Allah’ in Arabic); within the quatrefoil corners, ‘Muḥammad / amīn / [rasūl / Allāh]’ (‘Muhammad, the trustworthy, is the messenger of Allah’ in Arabic); the names of the four Rashidun Caliphs in Arabic around: Abūbakr / [ʿUmar / ʿUthmān] / ʿAlī. Rev. Within a hexafoil, ‘al-sulṭāna al-ʿādila / Sātī Bik Khān / khallada Allāh Mulkahā’ (‘The just Sultan, Sati Beg Khan. May Allah perpetuate her kingdom’ in Arabic); around, ‘ḍarb / Ālakiz / fī sana / tisʿ / thalāthīn / [sabʿa miʾa]’ (‘Struck in Alakiz in the year 739’ in Arabic). Album 2231. Diler Sa-720. A fresh and attractive example of this interesting issue. Struck off center, otherwise, extremely fine.


Alagyaz is a small mountain village situated at an altitude of around 2,100 meters above sea level, on the northern slope of Mount Aragats, the highest peak in Armenia. The region is defined by its rugged, majestic landscape and a deeply rooted cultural heritage. Although the village today is primarily inhabited by Yezidi families, Armenian presence in the area dates back millenia.