BADAKHSTAN (Now Tajikstan) Timurid anonymous AE fals 2.86g 18mm 5h (time of Abu Said 1451-69) IBEX AH869 frozen date 1465 AD A-N3184 graded F (1/2 flat) rated ScarceAlbum notes: Known dated 868 and 869 with Ibex on obverse, from a hoard of at least several hundred piecesmy personal note: haven't seen one in many years!! I will ship overseas only through the Global Shipping Program The area around Badakhstan, now called Tajikstan, was an important trading center as far back as 4000 BC, although there is little written history before Alexander's conquest. Marco Polo wrote that the Balas rubies could be found under the Syghina mountains there. The Mirs of Badakhstan traced their roots back to Alexander and the last survivors were killed by Abu Said. After the Timurids fell to the Mughals Badakhstan and Bukhara became pawns in the Great Game between Russia and Britain. Badakhstan finally became part of Russia and then the Soviet Union. Abu Said was the Great Grandson of Timur and nephew of Ulugh as well as being the grandfather of Babur. He was a principle player in the struggle between the Black and White Sheep Turkomen. He conquered most of Turkestan in 1450 and captured Samarkand. He was captured in 149 by Hasan and was executed. The Ibex (Capra Sibirica) is a common motif on pottery but is rarely found on coins AH869 began on Sept 3 1464 AD and ended on Aug 23 1465 AD Important events in the year 1465: The 1st sheet music is printed: Edward IV passes edict forbidding ‘Hustling of Stones’ (but luckily bowling survives anyway); Charles VIII deposed in Sweden; Amadeus IX becomes Duke of Savoy; Henry VI imprisoned; Wide spread flooding in China; Births: Philibert I of Savoy, Selim I Ottoman Sultan; Deaths: Thomas Palailogos, claimant to Byzantine throne