Billon Jital (Malik)

Struck: July 1221
Mint: Kurzuwan
Size: 20.5mm
Weight: 3.50g
Die Axis: 180°
Grade: F
Ref: Tye# 324.1, Tye# 324.2, A# 1971

Obv: Dated with both the month, Jumada I, and the year, AH 618, around the margin, with the word Malik (King) in the center.
Rev: La ilah ilallah / Muhammad rasul / ° Allah ° / Kurzuwan.
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Genghis Khan (born Temujin around 1162) was the founder and Great Khan (emperor) of the Mongol Empire. He came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. After founding the Mongol Empire and being proclaimed "Genghis Khan", he started the Mongol invasions that resulted in the conquest of most of Eurasia. These included raids or invasions of the Kara-Khitan Khanate, Caucasus, Khwarezmid Empire, Western Xia and Jin dynasties. These campaigns were often accompanied by wholesale massacres of the civilian populations – especially in the Khwarezmian controlled lands. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China.

Beyond his military accomplishments, Genghis Khan also advanced the Mongol Empire in other ways. He decreed the adoption of the Uyghur script as the Mongol Empire's writing system. He also promoted religious tolerance in the Mongol Empire, and created a unified empire from the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. Present-day Mongolians regard him as the founding father of Mongolia.

He died in August of 1227 after defeating the Tangut people. He was buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Mongolia at an unknown location. The reason for his death is uncertain and speculations abound. Some historians maintain that he fell off his horse during a horseback pursuit from the land of present day Egypt, dying of his injuries. Others contend that he was felled by a protracted illness such as pneumonia. The Galician-Volhynian Chronicle alleges he was killed by the Tanguts in battle.

This particular coin is the famous Kurzuwan Siege Coin. Minted in Kurzuwan while it was being attacked by Genghis Khan. This issue was made about 1 week before the city fell.