
Khan Arghun in an ornate quatrefoil, mint and date? around // 'La ilaha illa-llah / Mohamed Rasul Allah / 'Ali Waliahu, all within a square, mint and date? around. 17mm, 2.44 grams. Album 2149.1; cf. Zeno 21142.
Shi'a reference ("Ali is the Wali of God") within the Shahada.
Rare type. The date is not readable, but this type was minted in 684-686 AH (1285-1287).
Arghun (1258–1291) was the fourth Ilkhan of Persia and a grandson of Hulagu Khan, founder of the Ilkhanate. He came to power in 1284 after deposing his uncle Tekuder, whose pro-Islamic policies he opposed. A staunch Buddhist with pro-Christian leanings, Arghun sought alliances with European powers against the Mamluks, sending embassies to the Pope and kings of France and England. His reign saw internal power struggles but also economic reforms, including attempts to stabilize currency and improve trade along the Silk Road. Arghun died in 1291, possibly from illness or poisoning, and was succeeded by his brother Gaykhatu.