Famous "Malik of Kurzuwan" siege fals or jital, Jumada 618 AH (June/July 1221), Kurzuwan in Khwarezm when it was besieged by Ghengiz Khan

Al-Malik ("The King") in the central circle, tarikh jumada sanat thaman asbar wa sin mi'at ("dated to Jumada, of the year 618") / Mint name  and Kalima in three lines. 21mm, 3.60 grams. Tye 324.2; Album 1971.

Rare month of Jumada type.

This fascinating type was minted in June/July 1221 AD in the city of Kurzuwan, when it was besieged by Ghengiz Khan. The coins were minted in the name of the "Malik of Kurzuwan" - an enigmatic title. It is not certain who it belonged to, but it seems that someone within the city assumed the royal power of "malik" ("King"), while probably keeping a nominal allegiance to Sultan Mangurbani. This is a siege issue - one of the very few such Islamic issues ever issued. There are two types of this coin, one type dated Rabi II, and one dated Jumada I. This is the more rarer second month - going by the scarcity of the coins, it is reasonable to suspect that the city fell sometime in Jumada I, literally days after the minting of this coin. Ghengis Khan completely destroyed the city and slaughtered the population.