YUAN: Da Chao, 1251-1262, AR cash (2.8g), H-19.1, graded 75(07) by GBCA Grading Company, encrusted, natural casting defects, F-VF, ex Dr. Dirk Löer Collection. Da Chao, meaning "Great Dynasty", was the Chinese name the Mongols used for themselves. According to Hartill, "This [silver] coin is alleged to have been cast by the legendary Genghis Khan at his capital at Karakorum." This would place the date about 50-60 years prior to the formal foundation of the Yuan dynasty in 1271. A more likely attribution by Belyaev & Sidorovich (2017) puts this series between 1251 and 1262 during the reign of Möngke Khan and the early years of Kublai Khan.
