Nummi Antiqua

Because of the nomadic lifestyle of the Mongolic peoples, actual currency never really evolved like it did in many other civilizations. However, when Ghengis Khan started conquering vast swathes of the east under the Great Mongol empire, suddenly the need for a currency appeared. This is why “Mongol” coins are exceedingly unique. Because there is not one type of “Mongol” coin, but hundreds of unique styles of coinage from the many cultures brought under the rule of the Mongol Empire, simply appropriated to Mongol standards.

This strange appropriation of other cultures unique coinage styles and techniques can be seen most clearly in Chinese “Cash” coins. (Picture)

Top is a coin from the North Song Dynasty, and on the Bottom is a coin of the Mongol-held “Yuan” Dynasty. It is visible that these coins have the same shape and very similar script. Also, the weight and composition of these two coins are basically the same, and the traditional Chinese casting method of coin minting was used for both.

This can also be seen in the central-asian and middle east after the conquests of the Great Mongol.

Coin on the left is a Dirham from the city of Otrar, modern day Kazakhstan, minted under the authority of Kublai Khan. The coin on the Right is a Fals from the Samanid Sultanate, and although it is from nearly 300 years earlier, the similarities are obvious. First, although both coins have different sizes, they both retain the extremely thin width that is commonplace for coins of that region. Secondly, the script and general layout on the coin is basically the same.

Image Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica, “Mongol Empire”

The vast amount of cultures in the Great Mongol, paired with their lack of domestic coin designs caused their coinage to become some of the most unique in the medieval period. However, Mongol coins can be great for people just getting in to collecting, because they are fascinating coins, and generally not the most expensive (If you stay away from the gold, of course!).