Mintage for Crimea. Shahin Giray, 1777-1783. Poltina 1191 AH / Year 4, Baghce Saray. 21.77 g. Bitkin -. Retowski 118. Of the highest rarity, especially in this quality. Probably unique. NGC MS65 BN. Beautiful condition with magnificent patina.

From auction Künker 258, Osnabrück, January 2015, lot 1072 (price realized: EUR 42,000).
From the Ernst and Otto Horn Collection.

Retowski only knew the piece from the illustration in Johann Bernoulli: "Krimmische Münzsorten vom J. 1780", in: Sammlung kurzer Reisebeschreibungen 1783, vol. XI, p. 419 f.

The Giray Khans were descendants of Chingiz Khan and rulers of the Crimean Khanate from 1441 to 1783. Established by Haci I Giray, it was the longest-lived of the Turkic khanates that succeeded the Golden Horde. The Khanate was also known as Qirim Hanligi, Qirim Yurtu, Great Horde and Desht-i Kipchak, and in old European historiography and geography as Little Tartary or Tartaria Minor. It lasted until April 8, 1783, when Catherine II of Russia annexed the whole Crimean Peninsula as the Taurida Governorate.