Currencies/Golden Horde dirhem
From Collectors Collecting Wiki
Introduction
The Golden Horde Dirhem was a silver coin minted by the Golden Horde Khanate between the 13th and 15th centuries. It served as the khanate’s primary monetary unit, reflecting the fusion of Mongol administration and Islamic coinage traditions across Eurasia.
History
The coinage of the Golden Horde began after the Mongol rulers embraced Islamic financial systems in the late 13th century (AH 670s / AD 1270s).
Major mints operated in Saray, Bulghar, Qrim (Crimea), and Gulistan under khans such as Tokhta (1291–1312) and Jani Beg (1342–1357).
Dirhams struck under Jani Beg’s reign, dated AH 746–749 (AD 1346–1349), illustrate the khanate’s commercial reach across the Volga, Black Sea, and Silk Road networks.
Production continued until the 15th century, when the empire fragmented into smaller successor states.
Coins
Golden Horde Dirhems were small silver coins, usually 15–18 mm wide and weighing 1.3–1.6 g. Designs included
Obverse The name of the khan with Islamic inscriptions.
Reverse The mint name and Hijri year of issue. Some issues also used Uighur-Mongolian script, blending cultural influences. Notable examples include
Jani Beg – Saray al-Jadida mint, AH 746–749.
Toghtu Khan – Qrim mint, AH 698.
Khizr Khan – Gulistan mint, AH 761.
Currency
The dirhem formed the backbone of the Golden Horde’s silver-based economy, circulating in trade, taxation, and interregional exchange. It was used alongside gold dinars and copper pul coins, ensuring a complete monetary system for both local and international commerce.
Legacy
The Golden Horde Dirhem embodies the cultural and economic unity achieved under Mongol rule. Its widespread use connected Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, influencing later coinages under the Crimean Khanate and early Russian states.