YUAN: Da Chao, 1251-1262, AR cash (2.8g), H-19.1, graded 75(07) by GBCA Grading Company, deep original encrustation, natural casting defects, Fine, 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.
