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Sapèques of Türgish (Türkesh)

 

 

 

Türkesh Kaganate was controlled by China in 681-754 AD. In 694 Chinese Imperial troops crushed Tibetians, Türkeshes and W Turks. In 715 Türkeshes rebel against Chinese Empire and defeat Chinese and Karluks.

The monies of Türkesh

The first coins of Türks is a sapèque of Chinese type minted by the Türkesh Khan Sulu, who was a supreme Kagan of the Eastern Türks for about twenty years (716-737).

The obverse carries inscription Baga Türkesh Khan pny "money of Céleste Türkesh Kagan"; the lapel is marked with the tamga ( seal) of the royal clan ( No°1 ). His son Tuhuoxian (737-739) probably minted similar smaller coins (No°2) after Sulu's murder by a baga tarkhan (military leader) who usurped power, and during the civil war which ensued from it.

1 - Sulu Kagan's coin, 24,4 mm, 5,25 g.

2 - Sulu Kagan's coin, 22,3 mm, 2,34 g.

After the devision of the Türkesh Kaganate between Kara Türkesh (Black, with a meaning of “West”, “Mighty”) and Türkesh Jaunes and the following civil wars, numerous small khans assumed Türkesh Kagan's title, while they controlled only Tokmak's region (present Akpeshim in Kirghizistan). These khans did not belong to Sulu's clan because their coins have different tamha; some inscribed their name on their coins.

 

 

3 - Türkesh Kagan coin, 15,1 mm, 0,71 g.

4 - Oghitmish Kagan's coin, 18,8 mm, 1,80 g.

5 - Bitmish Kagan's coin, 17,6 mm, 1,15 g.

6 - Oghitmai Kagan's coin, 12,2 mm, 0,57 g.

 

 

 

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