Mongols, The Ilkhanate, Togha Temür (Time of the Black Death)

These copper "fals" coins were minted by the Ilkhanate, one of the four Mongol khanates that formed out of the original conquests of Genghis Khan. The coins were struck during the time of Togha Temür, a descendant of Genghis Khan's brother, who claimed the Ilkhanate throne from 1337 to 1353. This was also the time in which the Ilkhanate was hardest hit by the Black Death, before the infamous disease spread westward and killed up to half of Europe's population.

Shortly after the death of Genghis Khan, his vast empire split into four separate states controlled by his descendents. These smaller empires were called "khanates," and consisted of the Yuan dynasty in China, the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia, the Golden Horde in Eastern Europe, and the Ilkhanate, which was centered around modern day Iran.

The Mongols in the Ilkhanate were not ethnically Iranian, but nonetheless tried to present themselves as the heirs of the ancient Sasanian Empire--one of the high points of Persian civilization. The later Ilkhanate rulers assimilated with local traditions as well, such as converting to Islam. They took significant inspiration from the Chinese system of government, with their leaders adopting the dragon clothing of Imperial China and even creating official seals with Chinese characters.

The Black Death played a major role in the weakening and decline of the Ilkhanate, as the last official ilkan and his son died by the disease in 1335. With no clear line of succession, many challengers rose to claim the Ilkhanate throne, including Togha Temür. The empire eventually disentigrated into multiple smaller states, ceasing to exist.

Each includes a Certificate of Authenticity.