GIRAY KHANS: Shahin Giray, 1777-1783, AE ischal (65.67g), Kaffa, AH1191 year 5, A-2117, Ret-236/237, Sariev-474, 52mm, toughra reverse, with one knot ornament left and another right of the toughra, struck on a planchet of slightly uneven thickness and with some small casting flaws, VF, RR, ex Dick Nauta Collection. The ischal, also known as tschal, is a name derived from the Persian word "chahal", meaning "40". The ischal alloy is said to be a billon alloy containing 5% silver, but that has never been verified.
