BESHLIK: COIN OF CRIMEAN KHANATE
Beshlik, 1692-1699: Crimean Khanate
Crimean Khanate — Crimean Tatar state existing from 1441-1783, the longest-lived of the Turkic khanates that succeeded the empire of the Golden Horde. At the end of the 15th century and at the beginning of the 16th century, it was considered the sole heir of the Golden Horde, in confirmation of which Muscovy (modern russia) paid tribute to the Crimean Khanate until 1700. During its existence, the Crimean Khanate was under the significant influence of the Ottoman Empire.
Ruler: Selim I Giray — four-time Khan of the Crimean Khanate in the period from 1671 to 1704. During this time Crimean khans were regularly appointed and replaced by the Ottomans.
Coin of the Crimean Khanate under the protectorate of the Ottoman Empire. Third Selim's reign.
Name and title of the ruler.
- Silver (billon): 16 mm - 1.07 g
- Reference price: 2$
COIN BESHLIK — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
- CRIMEAN KHANATE (17th-18th centuries): beshlik = 5 akçe = 1/2 onluk (onlik)
- OTTOMAN EMPIRE (17th-19th centuries): beshlik = 5 para = 1/2 onluk
- GEORGIA (Kingdom of Kartli, 18th century): beshlik = 1/2 onluk
BESHLIK as coin name.
Beshlik (also: beshliq, bešlik, beslik) — historical silver coin of the 17th-19th centuries of the Ottoman Empire, equal to 5 para, and of the Crimean Khanate, equal to 5 akçe. At the same time, it was half of the onluk coin.
In Ukraine, beshlik coins of the Crimean khans are most often found, for example — Selim I Giray. Unfortunately, the vast majority of such coins have survived to this day in extremely poor condition.
Crimean beshlik was issued from 1654 and almost until the annexation of the peninsula by the Russian Empire (the last khan: Şahin Giray). Initially, it was a coin made of low-quality silver — a billon. The weight was about 1 g. Beshlik gradually replaced the too small and already uncomfortable akçe at that time. In the 18th century the so-called kara-beshlik ("black beshlik") appears — a coin with an even lower, minimal silver content (almost completely copper) and a slightly higher weight (1.5 g).
In international numismatics, the Ottoman beshlik (5 para) is better known. The relationship between Crimean and Turkish (Ottoman Empire) coins is quite confusing. Over time, they changed.
The origin of the name of the beshlik coin can be explained simply: in the Turkish language, "beş" means "five" (a multiple of five for the corresponding exchangeable coins).
