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Hossein Kohestani Andarzi, Hassan Hashemi Zarjabad, Atefeh Bazzi, Mohammad Amin Saadat Mehr, Sepideh Bakhtiari,
year 4, Issue 11 (6-2020)
Abstract

Abstract
Tabaristan State (Mazandaran) has always been of great importance due to its numerous economic and commerce potentials. Moreover, it has politically been much valued by Qajar rulers. Accordingly, an old mint was actively working in this city up to 1288 AH which issued (uring Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (1264-1313 AH) numerous silver qirans in the following years: 1264-1266, 1269-1274, 1280-1283, and 1287-1288 AH. The coin issuing system was although superficially obeying Tehran rules, each city acted independently in practice, and the coins in many cities were issued with different grades of silver purity. Such problems raise two questions regarding Tabaristan mint: how much was the silver purity grade of the coins issued in Tabaristan, and how have they changed during the history? What was the position of Tabaristan’s coins which was an important state in comparison with other important states such as Mashhad, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Shiraz? Therefore, to answer these questions, the elemental analysis of this era coins (using PIXE method) was chosen as the main base of the present research due to not being destructive, being quick, and being highly precise in order to present an analysis of the Tabaristan’s mint commitment level to the central system of coin issuing during different times in comparison with other main states and cities in Qajar dynasty. In the present research, 17 coins from 17 different historical periods were elementally analyzed. Based on the numbersshowing the average silver purity grade changes during two periods of 1264-1278 AH and 1280-1288 AH, the results are 90.13 % and 84.33 %; the average for the whole period is then 88.08 %. At the same time, the silver purity grades of other mints are as follows: Mashhad (84%), Tabriz (82%), Tehran (90%), Isfahan (84%), and Shiraz (90%). Also, valuable information was obtained on the type of silver mines used, namely the Cerussite mines and how the coins were minted with copper and iron metals.
Keywords: Numismatics, PIXE Experiment, Tabaristan, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Economy.

Introduction
The Naseri period currency system was extremely disorganized; actually, coins were considered local! Every city issued silver qirans with different purity grades, and their rate of exchange with gold tomans was not the same. In fact, a city’s common money was not the same value in other cities (Matthee et al., 1396: 281-282). Tabaristan had always been important in terms of commerce and economy with a high political position for Qajar rulers, but even Tabaristan was not different from other places concerning coin issuing: there were numerous local silver qirans issued there with different values from 1264 to 1288 AH.
Here, coins could be considered priceless archeological data and documents facilitating economic analysis because coins belong to that time and, like texts, were not meant to be read again later (Kianzadegan et al., 1398: 182). Accordingly, elemental analysis of this era’s coins using Archaeometry can offer important information regarding economic-political conditions which could lead to a better understanding of those ears atmosphere (Beck et al., 2004: 153-162). The present research aims at investigation of the Naser al-Din Shah coins issued in Tabaristan covering all issuing dates with the help of PIXE experiment: the results can help us analyze the level of commitment to the coin issuing central system and Tabaristan economic power in different times in comparison with other states and cities.
The coins used in the present research belong to the personal collection of Seyed Hasan Sadat Razavi (Hyderabad, India) which were lent to the authors. Naser al-Din Shah coins (belonging to Tabaristan) were issued inthe following dates: 1264-1266, 1269-1274, 1280-1283, and 1287-1288 AH. They include 17 coins issued in 17 different dates in general. Therefore, for each specific issuing date, one coin was selected; The total number of coins was 17, which were analyzed by Pixie method at Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar (Odisha, India).

Identified Traces 
Archaeometry studies, especially elemental analysis methods, are considered very useful in evaluating the coins carat (here: silver). Therefore, to answer these questions, 17 coins issued in Tabaristan at different times during 1264-1288 AH To do elemental decomposition by PIXE method, it was transferred to The Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar.
Based on PIXE experiment results, silver, copper, and iron were considered the main metals for analyzing the economic power of Tabaristan state in Naseri era; the purity grades have undergone drastic changes in 3 periods as follows:
1. 1264-1278 AH: silver (90.13%), copper (6.07%), and iron (1.99%)
2. 1280-1288 AH: silver (84.33%), copper (9.54%), and iron (4.45%)
The whole period average: silver (88.08%), copper (7.29%), and iron (2.86%)
Normally, less than 2 percent of the coins was naturally copper; if it is more than 2, it will not be considered natural, and for sure the mixture is done arbitrarily. The coins in the present research have 7.29 % copper which is a sign of intentional mixing done for alloying the coin metal. 
The existence of iron, also, is due to surface contamination because of the place in which the coins were buried, but the present research coins contain a little amount of iron; the original coins were not buried at all and contain an average amount of 2.86 %. It is a sign of alloying for regulating the coins metal carat.
The silver purity grade of the coins issued in Tabaristan has decreased in two periods and has undergone changes but the silver carat of 88.08 % is extremely high in comparison with main mints in Mashhad (84%), Tabriz (82%), Tehran (90%), Isfahan (84%), and Shiraz (90%). It normally shows the economic power and flourishment of Tabaristan in Naseri era.
Moreover, the existence of 0.86% lead is a sign of using lead mines for silver, haste, and carelessness while extracting. Furthermore, lead mines are of two kinds: Cerussite and Galena. Cerussite mines contain 1.5 to 2 percent gold and Galena less than 2 percent. So, these coins contain an average of 0.31% gold which could be another sign of using Cerussite mines.

Conclusion 
In this research, 17 coins belonging to 17 different periods have been elementally analyzed. As a result, the trend of silver purity grade changes for two periods of 1264-1278 AH and 1280-1288 AH is 90.13% and 84.33%: on the average, 88.08%. Therefore, its position was estimated among other mints in Mashhad (84%), Tabriz (82%), Tehran (90%), Isfahan (84%), and Shiraz (90%). Finally, it was clear that copper and iron were added (7.29% and 2.86%, respectively, on the average) in order to reduce the coins silver purity grade. Also, the existence of lead and gold (0.86% and 0.31%, respectively, on the average) is a sign of hasty extraction of silver and using Cerussite mines.
 

Muhammad-Amin Saadatmehr, Hasan Basafa, Hamid-Reza Sanaei, Mohsen Momeni,
year 5, Issue 16 (9-2021)
Abstract

Abstract
Khorasan was of great social and economic importance during the Seljuk period and with the rise to power of Sultan Sanjar (511-552 AH), it became the political nucleus of the Seljuk Empire. With the invasion of the Oghuzs (548 AH) and the capture of Sultan Sanjar, the political, social and economic situation of Khorasan became chaotic. The site of the Barzanun “Qahve Khane Sangi” also belongs to the Seljuk period, and with the discovery of gold coins from Sultan Sanjar (minted in Neyshabur in 551 AH) in its surface layers, it is possible. Which has wreaked havoc in the conflict of these attacks. Due to such widespread chaos, historical texts have scattered and different information about this historical event, so by having such a coin, the science of numismatics can rely on the sciences of archeology and history. Provide valuable information to researchers. Therefore, the main basis of this article is the coin discovered from the “Qahve Khane Sangi” and a relatively similar example of it (probably struck in Neyshabur in 551 AH). The main questions of this research are: 1. How can a part of the history of that era be reconstructed using this coin and a similar example? 2. According to the prevailing conditions and influencing factors, by whom and for what purpose were the coins in question minted? In addition to introducing these flag coins, this article intends to reconstruct and determine the causes of some events along with cognitive coin data along with historical texts. As a result, it was determined that the coins studied after the release of Sultan Sanjar from captivity and in his name, by Moayed Ibeh, in order to oppose the alliance of Sultan Mahmoud (the first period of the rule of 551-548 AH) and Atsiz Kharazmshah (551 -521 AH) and gaining the necessary legitimacy for the survival of his power and rule in the position of Amir affiliated to Sultan Sanjar, has been beaten in Neyshabur and even parts of Khorasan.
Keywords: Sultan Sanjar, Neyshabur, Oghuz invasion, Numismatics, Qahve Khane Sangi.

Introduction
In the fall of 2008, the first group of archeology students of Neyshabur University set foot in the “Qahve Khane Sangi” (Barzanun, Neyshabur, Khorasan Razavi) for educational exploration. An examination of the surface data and information from the four trenches in the first chapter of this scientific-educational excavation suggested that the site contained artifacts from the end of the historical period to the Mongol invasion, but the possibility was growing. The main use and peak period of this area was related to the Seljuk period. Thus, a special data, the dinar from the Seljuk period, obtained at the top level of the second trench, could have been a validation of this possibility.
The importance of coin discovery in ancient sites lies in the fact that the problem of their exact and somewhat absolute chronology can be based on coins. In other words, the fact that a coin belongs to a particular period or date means that the area in question also existed at that time. In addition, important features such as the name of the coin owner, the name of the mint, and the date of minting on each coin can provide useful historical information. Further study and observations of the authors about the coin discovered in Barzanun show that this coin was also one of the dinars of the reign of Sanjar and was minted in Neyshabur in 551 AH.
Coins can be considered a valuable document and the best archaeological data, because they belong to the same era and did not appear like historical texts for the purpose of re-reading. So, given that historical texts provide scattered and sometimes contradictory information on events, this shortcoming can be compensated by referring to more reliable documents such as coins. Archaeological data in general, as a relatively reliable reference, confirms, confirms, or completes written source information. In the meantime, completing the information of written sources is doubly important. In other words, these data can reveal dark corners of historical events and currents for historians. This article tries to provide a complete reading of the history of that coin in Neyshabur province from the perspective of archeology and history in addition to the complete introduction of the coin in question, and brings a joint analysis through the two sciences.

Discussion
After the Qatwan war between Sultan Sanjar and the Qarakhtaeans (536 AH), the Seljuk rule was severely weakened. Many of the emir’s subjects rebelled and claimed independence, and this increased with Sanjar’s aging. . With the invasion of Oghuzs to Khorasan and the capture of Sultan Sanjar (548 AH), widespread chaos spread throughout Khorasan. In addition to the continuous attacks of the Oghuzs, some independent commanders seized power and in addition The Ismailis of Quhistan, Khwarezmshahis and Ghurids conquered large parts of Khorasan. During the captivity of Sanjar (551-548 AH), some of his rulers resisted the attacks of the Oghuzs and put Suleiman Shah, the nephew of Sultan Sanjar, on the throne. Suleimanshah was not enough and after the defeat of his army from Oghuzs and the conquest of Neyshabur (549 AH), he went to the realm of Atsiz Kharazmshah and then fled to Iraq, Mahmud, the nephew of Sultan Sanjar, was elected to the throne. The most important Seljuk emir, Moayed Ibeh, was able to dominate some cities of Khorasan, including Neyshabur, and prevent the domination of Oghuzs by expanding his territory. After that, Ibeh separated from the new sultan, Mahmoud, and led his army to independence. After the defeat of Sultan Mahmud in the battle with Oghuzs, he enlisted the help of Atsiz Kharazmshah and at the same time Ibeh was able to free Sanjar from captivity (551 AH). In fact, with the alliance of Sultan Mahmud and Atsiz Kharazmshah, the power and legitimacy of Ibeh was lost, so the release of Sultan Sanjar could and the minting of new coins in his name could guarantee the survival of Ibeh’s rule.

Conclusion
The discovery of a golden dinar from Sultan Sanjar, minted in Neyshabur in 551 AH, is one of the most superficial layers of the “Qahve Khane Sangi” area, probably abandoned during this period, and a relatively similar specimen (probably struck in Neyshabur, in 551 AH) was able to provide new information to researchers. Coinage is normally used to meet the economic needs of each city and region, but in such cases coinage is merely a manifestation of power and legitimacy. The minting of these coins can be attributed to the liberation of Sultan Sanjar from captivity and Ibeh’s affirmative efforts to gain more power in Neyshabur and even Khorasan. By minting such coins, he was able to secure two of his main demands, namely, to confront Sultan Mahmud and Atsiz Kharazmshah and to gain the necessary legitimacy to continue his rule as Sultan Sanjar. The existence of written differences on the original coin of this study and a similar example, ie the displacement of the central text in two coins and the lack of writing the date of coinage in the same sample, can confirm the urgent need to mint such coins. In addition, the existence of weight differences between the original coin and a similar pattern (3.1 and 2.82 g) can be a sign of insignificance of monetary weights and independence from the economic system of the period. Although the liberation of Sultan Sanjar could be a great help to Ibeh, it could not be considered a cure for the turmoil in Khorasan, and finally, a little later, Sultan Sanjar died in 552 AH without taking any important and effective action. 

Mahdi Hajivaliei,
year 9, Issue 33 (12-2025)
Abstract

Timurid coinage functions as a material repository, mirroring the significant economic and political shifts characterizing the era, thereby offering crucial insights into the socio-economic structure of the Timurid Empire. This investigation critically examines a collection of Timurid numismatic artifacts housed in the Avicenna tomb Museum utilizing X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The meticulous re-evaluation of preliminary XRF spectroscopic data is paramount, particularly within the discipline of numismatics, as it constitutes a foundational requisite for mitigating analytical errors and augmenting the precision of interdisciplinary assessments. While XRF technology provides a non-destructive means for the precise determination of elemental composition within the coinage, a failure to implement rigorous monitoring and comprehensive data scrutiny risks introducing substantial historical misinterpretation and analytical uncertainty. This study addresses core research questions concerning the substantive value of re-analyzing and interpreting XRF spectral outputs, specifically concerning their utility in authenticity verification (counterfeit identification) and the delineation of underlying economic and cultural characteristics. The central hypothesis asserts that unprocessed XRF spectral data lacks inherent accuracy and necessitates expert-driven, in-depth analysis for conclusive artifact examination. Furthermore, the research underscores the necessity of detailed spectral profiling, acknowledges inherent technical complexities in data interpretation, and advocates for interdisciplinary methodologies to substantially enhance result validity. The findings conclusively demonstrate that a profound reinterpretation of XRF analytical data significantly advances the comprehension of material provenance, safeguards cultural heritage assets, and yields more nuanced understandings of Timurid economic governance.

Mohammad Bahramzadeh, Aboutaleb Moghasem, Moslem Rezaiee,
year 10, Issue 35 (6-2026)
Abstract

The coins of the local rulers of Pars (the Fratarakā) are among the most significant archaeological sources for reconstructing the political, religious, and cultural conditions of the region during the Seleucid period. Beyond their economic value, these coins contain visual and symbolic elements that reflect the continuation of Achaemenid traditions and the formation of the political identity of the local rulers. One of the most prominent iconographic elements is the depiction of a building on the reverse of some of these coins, a motif that has long attracted scholarly attention. Despite previous studies, the architectural nature and function of this structure remain subjects of debate in Iranian numismatic and archaeological research. This study aims to examine and clarify the architectural identity and function of the structure depicted on the coins of the first and second groups of the Fratarakā rulers. To this end, the study introduces the relevant coin groups and analyzes their visual features in order to resolve existing ambiguities regarding the nature of the structure. The central research question asks what type of building is represented on these coins and to what extent it can be compared with known examples of ancient Iranian ritual architecture. The methodology is descriptive-analytical and based on a comparative approach. Data were collected through museum-based study of the coin collections housed in the Sepah Bank Museum and the Tamashagah-e Pol, in addition to library research and previous scholarly works. These data were then compared with known architectural examples from the Achaemenid and post-Achaemenid periods. The findings indicate that the depicted structure has a ritual and religious character and, in certain structural and symbolic aspects, is comparable to the Kaaba-ye Zarthosht monument at Naqsh-e Rostam. Furthermore, the study shows that over time, due to technical changes in minting methods, the artistic quality and architectural detail of the motif gradually diminished. These results suggest that the depiction of this structure not only reflects ancient Iranian religious and architectural traditions but may also signify the continuity of religious and political legitimacy among the local rulers of Pars in the post-Achaemenid period.


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