Khwarazmian Shahs, Muhammad II of Khwarezm 1200-1220 CE Jital

Metal: Lead

Obverse: Man On Horse

Reverse: Arabic script w/dates and declaration of faith

Description

Muhammad II was the penultimate Khwarazmian Shah and is infamous for the diplomatic blunder that invited the Mongol destruction of his empire. In 1218 CE, the great Mongol leader Genghis Khan, sent emissaries and a trade delegation to Khwarezm. The Shah, suspicious of the Khans motives had the party arrested and ultimately killed. Genghis Khan responded to this insult by invading and destroying the great cities of Samarkand and Bukhara amongst others. This response was considered brutal, even by Mongol standards and ranks as one of the bloodiest most destructive acts of war until the wars of the last century.

weight 2.60 grams