Item number: A1337

Year: AD 1766 (AH 1180)

Material: Gold

Size: 16.5 x 17.0 mm

Weight: 2.72 g

Manufactured by: Yazd, Iran

Provenance: Heritage Auctions 2024

This is a ¼ Mohur gold coin minted in the Islamic year 1180 (AD 1766) by Karim Khan, the founder of the Zand Dynasty. The Mohur was a gold coin used in the Indian subcontinent by the Mughal Empire, and it significantly influenced neighbouring regions, including the Iranian plateau, during the 18th century.

The obverse of the coin is surrounded by two concentric bead circles of varying sizes. At the centre, there is a depiction of the cedar tree, a symbol of eternity and longevity in Persian culture. The interior of the cedar is inscribed in Persian, from top to bottom, with the ruler’s signature “یا کریم” (Ya Karim, representing Karim Khan), the mint location “ضرب دارالایمان یزد” (Struck in Yazd), and the Islamic year “۱۱۸۰” (1180). Surrounding the inscriptions are decorative bead points, symbolising petals, further embellishing the design.

The reverse of the coin is also surrounded by a bead circle. At the centre, in the distinctive Nastaʿlīq  calligraphic style, is the inscription “شد آفتاب و ماه زر و سیم در جهان” (The sun and moon turned into gold wire in the world), showcasing a poetic phrase that reflects the depth of Iranian cultural heritage. This inscription adds a layer of cultural richness to the coin’s design.

The founder of the Zand dynasty, Karim Khan, initially served as a general under Nader Shah of the Afsharid dynasty. After Nader Shah’s assassination in AD 1747, Karim Khan took advantage of the ensuing political chaos to gradually expand his power. By AD 1750, he established the Zand dynasty with the ancient city of Shiraz in southern Iran as its capital, effectively controlling much of Iran. His reign was characterised by relative political stability and social order. Unlike previous rulers of Iran, who had adopted the title “Shah,” Karim Khan chose the title “Wazir-e-Raaya” (Representative of the People), reflecting his more populist approach. After Karim Khan’s death in AD 1779, Iran once again descended into turmoil, and in AD 1794, the Zand dynasty was replaced by the up-and-coming Qajar dynasty.

物件編號: A1337

年代: 公元 1766 年 (回曆 1180 年)

材質: 黃金

尺寸: 16.5 x 17.0 mm

重量: 2.72 g

製造地: 雅茲德，伊朗

來源: 海瑞德拍賣行 2024

這是回曆1180年(公元1766年)，桑德王朝開創者卡里姆汗鑄造的面額 ¼ 莫哈爾金幣。莫哈爾是南亞次大陸上的蒙兀兒帝國使用的金幣單位，於公元18世紀也深切影響鄰近的伊朗高原。

錢幣正面周圍為兩道大小不一的珠圈所環繞，中央是波斯文化中象徵永恆和長壽的雪松輪廓。雪松的中間從上而下，分別以波斯文打印統治者的花押「یا کریم」(卡里木汗)、鑄造地點「ضرب دارالایمان یزد」(鑄造於雅茲德)和回曆年份「۱۱۸۰」(1180)，銘文周圍則以許多象徵花瓣的珠點作為綴飾。

錢幣背面的周圍亦有一道珠圈，正中央則以伊朗特色的「波斯體」書法字體，寫下「شد آفتاب و ماه زر و سیم در جهان」(太陽和月亮變成了人間的金線)，充分展現伊朗文化深度的詩歌作為錢幣的銘文。

桑德王朝的奠基者卡里姆汗，起先是阿夫沙爾王朝的納迪爾沙麾下的將領。公元1747年，納迪爾沙遇刺身亡後，卡里姆汗利用時局混亂逐步擴張實力。最終於公元1750年以伊朗南部的古城設拉子為首都，建立控制大半伊朗全境的桑德王朝，其統治時期的政局和社會較為穩定。卡里姆汗在位後，並未接受過去伊朗統治者使用的「沙阿」，而是採納具有「人民的代表」意涵之「瓦齊爾·拉阿亞」作為頭銜。公元1779年，伊朗在卡里姆汗駕崩後又陷入動盪之中。公元1794年，桑德王朝為後起之秀卡扎爾王朝消滅覆亡。