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Sun and Lion Coins - Sivas Type

Between ca. 1240–1243 a series of remarkable dirhams were struck in Kaykhusraw’s name depicting a lion and sun. Generally, Islamic traditions forbid representations of living things so it is very unusual to find such iconography on Islamic coins. Several explanations of the lion and sun have been offered to suggest that the images represent the constellation Leo, the astrological sign of Kaykhusraw’s beloved Georgian wife Tamar or that the lion represents Kaykhusraw and the sun Tamar.  An article by Abdül Halim Varol (link) recognises different types related to different mints.  In general, coins minted in Siwas have a square text container on the reverse, whereas coins minted in Konya have no such box.

   COIN GROUPING -is by the sun ray type (See types)
  Sun-Rays Type (c)
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint, apx 638 AH.
  • Unusually, the lion's back right leg is ahead of the left leg.
  • Sun rays type (c)
  • Legend: ‘al-i/mâm’ at sides of sun face
  • Obv: Broome  270Av(i), but not the reverse.
  • Refnum: RP-954 
954
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (c)
  • Eight widely spaced sun-rays
  • 2/L/o - two open pellets below the lion
  • Refnum: RP-946 
946
 

 

  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (c)
  • Weight: 3.0 gm
  • Obv: No stars under the lion, one star above. Few sun rays with occasional pellets between.
  • Rev: "Spikey" style lettering
  • Type not located in Broome
  • Obv. similar to Varol #36.
  • Refnum: RP-855
855
  Sun-Rays Type (f)
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • Weight: 2.95 gm, 23 mm
  • Obv: One star under the lion, two stars above lion, prominent pellets between the numerous sun's rays.
  • Reverse mis-struck.
  • Broome 274 Dv(iii)b sim.
  • Refnum: RP-918
918
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • Weight: 2.95 gm, 21 mm
  • Obv: One "s6" star under the lion, two "s6" stars above lion.
  • Similar to my RP-918, except this one has upper star without hollowed-out center.
  • Broome 274 Dv(iii)b sim.
  • Refnum: RP-990
990
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • AH 638
  • Obv: "s6" star and an "s8" star below lion, "s8" star above.
  • Broome: 270 Dv(iii)e
  • Weight: 3.0 m, diameter 21 mm.
  • Refnum: RP-998
997
 
 
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • AH 640
  • Broome: 274 Dv(iii)d
  • Refnum: RP-937 
937
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • AH 640
  • Obv stars: 1/L/0
  • Rev: Note three pellets symbol (tp) in top outer inscription.
  • 22 mm, 2.93 gm.
  • Broome: 274 Dv(iii)i
  • Refnum: RP-935
935
 
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • Obv: Die crack? below lion. Pellet below and star (s8?) above. Prominent talon before lion's back leg). No pellets between lions body and tail.
  • 20 mm, 2,92 g
  • Refnum: RP-938 
938
   
  • Kaykhusraw II, Siwas mint
  • Sun rays type (f)
  • AH 638
  • Obv: "s6" star and a crescent below lion, "s8" star above.
  • Broome: 270 Dv(iv)a
  • Weight: 2.96 m
  • Refnum: RP-989
989