SUTKENT — A NEW MINT OF THE KARAKHANIDS

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this study is to introduce into scholarly circulation copper fals coins of a previously unknown mint of the Karakhanid state, struck in the early 11th century. The study is based on four Karakhanid coins discovered in the Shardara district of the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. These fals coins made it possible to reconstruct the coin legends, identify the name of the mint as Sutkent, and determine the date of issue as 405 AH/1014–1015 CE. Until now, this mint has not been recorded in the academic literature on Eastern numismatics. Medieval Sutkent was located in the historical region of Farab, on the left bank of the Syr Darya River. The identified mint represents the second known minting center within the Otrar oasis, alongside Farab, that operated during the Karakhanid period in the 11th century. At present, the corresponding archaeological site is known as the Sütkent I settlement. The scientific originality of the study lies in clarifying the geography of coin production in the Karakhanid state and expanding our understanding of the regional stage of monetary circulation. The introduction of new numismatic materials into scholarly circulation contributes to the study of local minting centers and the monetary policy of the Otrar oasis.