Egypt Ashrafi 1422 (AH 84x) Burji Mamluks, Al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Barsbay. VF+

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1422, Egypt, Burji Mamluks, Al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Barsbay. Gold Ashrafi Dinar Coin.

Mint Year: ca. 1422 (AH 84x)
Mint Place: Al-Qahira (Cairo)
Denomination: Gold Ashrafi Dinar
Reference: Friedberg 32, Album 998.
Ruler: Barsbay al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Abu'l-Nasr (1422-1438 AD)
Condition: Weakly struck or worn reverse, minimally deformed, otherwise VF+
Diameter: 16mm 
Weight: 3.40gm
Material: Gold


For your consideration a rare gold ashrafi coin, struck in Egypt, during the 15th Century, by the Burji (Tower) Mamluks, who ruled Egypt for nearly 150 years, centering their power in a towered citadel. Mamluk means "slave", as most of the rulers started their lives as slaves, working their way up the system through merit. Mamluk gold Ashrafis were struck to a weight of approximately 3.5g, which was the same as that of the standard gold trade coin of the period, the Venetian Ducat, the spanish Escudo, etc. They are generally of the highest purity.



Another historic fact often mentioned with the gold ashrafi coins is that it was included in the original tale of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves:

"When he stood within the cave, its door had closed upon him, yet he was not dismayed, since he had kept in memory the magical words, and he took no heed of the precious stuffs around him, but applied himself only and wholly to the sacks of ashrafis." (The Ali Baba & the 40 Thieves tale, first translated by Sir Richard Burton, 1850)







Al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Barsbay was the ninth Burji Mamluk sultan of Egypt from AD 1422 to 1438. He was Circassian by birth and a former slave of the first Burji Sultan, Barquq.

He was responsible for a number of administrative reforms in the Mamluk state, including the consolidation of the sultanate as a military magistrature and securing for Egypt exclusive rights over the Red Sea trade between Yemenand Europe.

His Red Sea activity included the final destruction in 1426 of ‘Aydhab, a once important port which had been in decline in the previous century.

In 1426-1427 he reconquered Cyprus.

In 1430 Egypt was severely struck by famine and plague.

His mausoleum, which included a madrasa and khanqah, was built in Cairo's Northern Cemetery, and has survived to this day.

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