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Auction: CSS36 - Banknotes, Bonds & Shares and Coins of China and Hong Kong
Lot: 1507

China, Sinkiang Province / Chinese Turkestan, rebel Habib Allah (1864-66), Tanga, 3.54g, Khotan, AH1283, la ilaha illa Allah Muhammad rasul Allah (Kalima) with date beneath, rev. zarb-i Khotan-i Nazif, within double circular border, floral motifs both sides (Nastich & Schuster E03b; Album G3090 / R3090; WS.1136; KM. C36.5), attractive dark tone, very fine, extremely rare

The annexing of Sinkiang (Xinjiang) to China in the mid 18th century prompted several local Islamic rebellions. 'Abd al-Rahman staged an uprising in Khotan in August 1864, however he was killed in battle a month later leaving his father, Habib Allah, to establish a city state. He proclaimed himself padixa (Padshah), meaning 'king' in Uighur. Being renowned for his piety, he chose to put the Sunni Kalima on his coins, thus rendering it unique among local issues. As he was captured by Ya'qub Beg in December 1866, this anonymous coinage is extremely rare.

provenance
ex. Nicholas Rhodes Collection



新疆唐卡，VF，極之罕見

Sold for
HK$8,500