This small illustration of ringdoves in the tree trunk and lotus blossom incorporates the influence of Chinese naturalism. The text was translated into Persian from Arabic for the Ilkhanid ruler Ghazan Khan (reigned 1295–1304). This page from a Persian manuscript Manafi‘ al-Hayawan (The Benefits of Animals) of Abu Said Ubaid-Allah ibn Jibrail ibn Bakhtishu (died 1058–68), c. 1300. Iran, Maragah, Ilkhanid period (1256–1353). Public domain via archive.org. "Under the power of t

The winged bull's head crown of this Nezak Shah is worth a closer look. These eastern neighbors to the Sasanians left behind many coins,...

Today's post shares more coins than usual. All of these coins are linked to the Mongol khans. Perhaps the best known Mongol leader is...

Today's post wanders into the middle ages during the time of the crusades. The crusades were a series of wars between Christians and Muslims to gain control of holy sites in Jerusalem that both groups considered sacred. Eight major expeditions took place between 1096 and 1291. These coins that I am trying to make sense of and sharing today are all silver dirhams (a.k.a. dirhems) from the 13th century. These are not coins that I collect, but I have accumulated a few. The crusa

Although countermarked Byzantine coins are not usually something I seek out, I couldn't resist this one. It was described in the auction...

Cowrie shells appear as items of value and ceremony in the far western inland of China during the Neolithic era. Use became widespread...

These pages are literally my "Notes"- and this one is not much more than a few thoughts jotted down to pick up at another time. I have...

Money comes in all shapes and sizes, and these coins are not the usual Roman or Greek, denarius, AE, drachm, or tetradrachm that I have...

Roman Thermae at Hamat Gader, under Israeli control a few kilometers from the Jordanian border. These Springs were restored and reopened...

Modern coin collectors often seek mint state perfection. "NGC defines a Mint State or Proof 70 (PF-70) coin as having no post-production...