GIRAY KHANS: Shahin Giray, 1777-1783, AE kyrmis (63.42g), Baghcha-Saray, AH1191 year 5, A-2118, Ret-181 obverse, 172 reverse, Sariev-513, 3rd series, some planchet casting flaws (as is very common for these huge copper coins of the Crimea), bold VF, R, ex Dick Nauta Collection. Based on his research, Sariev concluded that even though the engraved mint name is Baghcha-Saray, the 3rd series kyrmis was actually struck at Kaffa, along with the monstrous Ischal which is inscribed "Kaffa."

The Giray Khans were the rulers of the Crimean Khanate from 1441 to 1783. The Khanate was also known by following names; Qırım Hanlığı, Qırım Yurtu, Great Horde, Desht-i Kipchak, and in old European historiography and geography as Little Tartary or Tartaria Minor. This Crimean Tatar state was the longest-lived of the Turkic khanates that succeeded the empire of the Golden Horde. Established by Hacı I Giray in 1441, it was regarded as the direct heir to the Golden Horde and to Desht-i-Kipchak. The Giray Khanate was annexed by Catherine the Great of Russia. On 8 April 1783, in violation of the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, Catherine II intervened in the civil war, de facto annexing the whole Crimean Peninsula as the Taurida Governorate.

Estimate: USD 130 - 170