1 Fals - Yelü Dashi

Reverse

The second part of the first Sunni Kalima, citing caliph al-Muqtafi (reigned AH 530-555) and a shortened version of Qur'an IX, 33 in two solid circles.

Script: Arabic

Lettering:
محمد رسول الله المقتفي الله
ارسله بالهدى ودين الحق ليظهره الخ

Unabridged legend:
muhamad rasul allah almuqtafi allah

aruslh bialhudaa wadin alhaqi liuzhirah alkh

Translation: Muhammad is the messenger of God, caliph al-Muqtafi; He sent him with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it, etc.

Edge

Plain

Comment

Although the Western Liao dynasty is better known for its rare cash coinage, Islamic-style coins have been discovered as well, almost exclusively found at the medieval site at Krasnaya Rechka, located between Bishkek and Balasaghun.

There are two main types of fals coins that are seemingly silver washed and labeled as dirhams despite their copper-lead alloy thanks to the silver crisis caused by the outflow of silver coins to Eastern Europe in the 9th/10th century. One cites the 29th Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate (al-Mustarshid) dated 527 AH and another cites the 31st Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate (al-Muqtafi) with 531 and 538 AH as found dates.

The rare and often illegible nature of these coins leaves parts of their inscriptions up to speculation. Sa'd may refer to the Arabic name of Yelü Dashi, the founder of the Western Liao dynasty also known by his temple name, Emperor Dezong of Western Liao.

For more information, see the article below:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42666301

Interesting fact