ABSTRACT

Abaqa’s brother, Tegudar, 1 was proclaimed the new ruler on 25 Muharram, the first month, of 681 H or 6 May 1282 AD. In keeping with Mongol mourning tradition, he kept the yarligh/yasaq of the preceding ruler until a quriltei proclaimed new laws and implemented them at the end of the official mourning period of one year. The outward manifestation of this practice meant that his predecessor’s name remained on the coinage; all dies stated Ābāqā even though they contained the current date of 681 H. Further, most policies stayed in force; so there was no hiatus in mint production. Coinage was issued immediately; yet it was restricted to only three places, namely Tabriz, 2 Hamadhan 3 and Jazira ibn ʿUmar. 4 Only in late 681 H with mourning over did Tegudar put his name on the coins and appoint a different mint master.