
RRRR large 50-cash, Turgesh Qagan, c.712-738 CE, Turgesh Confederation, Transoxiana, Central Asia
Sogdian legend: βγy twrkys γ´γ´n pny ("Coin of Lord Kaghan of Türgesh") // Turghesh semi-circular tamgha, Runic R, Sogdian mnγ. 27mm, 10.84 grams. Smirnova Type III, #1588; Kamyshev 23; cf.Zeno 189828.
Exceedingly rare large coin. Kamishev reports it as a 50-cash denomination. It was actually five time the size of a normal cash (around 2 grams). Smirnova reported a single example known from a surface find. A few of these are known, nearly all in a very poor state of preservation (this might be the best known coin of this type).
The Turgesh people (Türügeš budun) or Tūqíshī in Chinese were a Turkic tribal confederation residing in Transoxiana, in parts of the modern Kazakhstan and Kyrgizstan. Türgeshes emerged as an independent power after the demise of the Western Turks and established a khaganate in 699. The Türgesh Khaganate lasted until 766 when the Karluks defeated them. The names of most of the Turgesh rulers are unknown, and their coins were anonymous, minted in the name of "Lord Qagan of Turgesh".