RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS ON ĪL-KHĀNID COINS

Abstract

Coins of Islamic period are primary sources that have been referred frequently by re-
searchers. Designers of the coins along with rituals and titles always tried to decorate the
circular space on the coins. One of these decorations is geometrical decoration, which was
common prior to Īl-Khānids (658–735 AH/1260-1335 AD)[1]. In Īl-Khānids era, coins
widely had geometric designs, especially during Abū Saīd period which architectural el-
ements and architectural scripts were largely used. Base lines that previously had been
used only in the building patron name, for the first time were used on coins in Īl-Khānid
era. In addition, Hexagram which had been previously used in Islamic architecture more as a
symbol of Astronomy was also applied on Īl-Khānid Coins. Mihrāb that is the most sacred Is-
lamic architecture and some signs were use in coins before the Īl-Khānid, were considered by
coins designers in Ghāzān era and in the form of mihrāb-like inscriptions was wildly used in
coins and Architecture. Square Kufic is the last element studies in this paper which was used under
the influence of religious monuments of its time in Abu coins. The reason of using these motifs
on coins is not definitely clear yet but in some cases political and cultural mind set of the
time played an important part in formation of such designs on coins in Īl-Khānid era. The
aim of present study was to investigate the changes in coin designs which may were in-
fluenced by architecture and its religious elements till Abu Saīd era.