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Emirate of Bukhara
Haydar bin Shahmurad
Tilla Gold Coin
Item number: A158
Year: AD 1820
Material: Gold
Size: 19.0 x 19.0 mm
Weight: 4.51 g
Manufactured by: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Provenance: Spink 2023
This gold coin was minted during the reign of Haydar bin Shahmurad (r. AD 1800-1826), the second Emir of the Bukhara Emirate, in the year AH 1235 (AD 1820). It features inscriptions in both Arabic and Persian scripts.
The obverse bears the inscription “Zarbi Bukhara Sharif,” indicating the minting place in the sacred city of Bukhara, the capital of the Emirate. In the center, the coin’s minting year “1235” (١٢٣٥) in the Islamic calendar is stamped. On the reverse side, in addition to the year, there is a commemorative phrase honoring the late ruler Shahmurad “May God bless the Infallible Masum Ghazi (Emir Shahmurad).” During Shahmurad’s reign, he implemented currency reforms and tax reductions, which successfully stimulated domestic handicrafts and agricultural production, as well as expanded trade with Russia, Afghanistan, India, Persia, and other regions. He enjoyed high prestige among the people.
At that time, facing the challenge from his uncle who sought to usurp the throne, Haydar claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad’s family as a Sayyid, while simultaneously elevating the revered reputation of his beloved father among the populace, to consolidate his own rule.
In the 19th century, coin minting in Bukhara was still a manual process. Gold coins were known as “Tilla” or “Ashrafi,” while silver coins were called “Tenga.” The metal would first be melted and cast into a cylindrical shape with a diameter not exceeding 20.0 mm. Then, special tools were used to cut the cylindrical piece into circular metal discs of approximately 2.0 mm thickness. These circular metal discs were then placed into two heated dies, and the inscriptions on both sides of the coin were manually stamped to complete the coin-making process.
In AD 1785, the Emirate of Bukhara was established by Turk Manghit tribal leader Shahmurad. Shahmurad overthrew the Astrakhan dynasty, whom claimed descent from Genghis Khan, and took Bukhara as his capital. As he did not belong to the Mongol Golden Family, Shahmurad was unable to proclaim himself as Khan and could only hold the title of Emir. Upon succession to the throne by Haydar, he concurrently suppressed numerous tribal rebellions within the country while expanding territorial conquests through external military campaigns. Domestically, he divided the nation into seven “Tuman” (provinces) to enhance administrative efficiency, while diplomatically, he dispatched envoys to Russia to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
However, by the mid-19th century, facing the steady expansion of the Russian Empire into Central Asia, the Emirate of Bukhara fell under Russian protection in AD 1873. In AD 1917, amidst the chaos of the October Revolution in Russia, the Emirate briefly regained its independence. However, in AD 1920, confronted with the onslaught of the Soviet Red Army, the last Emir, Mohammed Alim Khan, exiled to neighboring Afghanistan, marking the demise of the Emirate of Bukhara.
Charles Cutler Torrey, “Gold Coins of Khoḳand and Bukhārā,” Numismatic Notes and Monographs, 2020, pp. 3, 5, 7, 9-37
Khasanov Murod Gaybullayevich, “Coinage and Its Socio-economic Significance During The Reign of Amir Haydar, The Ruler of The Bukhara Emirate,” International Journal on Integrated Education, 2021, pp. 17-19
Saifullah Saifi, “Khanate of Bukhara from C.1800 to Russian revolution”（Ph.D thesis, Aligarh Muslim University, 2002）
Michael Mitchiner, Oriental Coins and Their Values: The World of Islam (London: Hawkins Publications, 1977)
