The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 72.1

72.1

Sultán Fíroz issued several varieties of coins. There was the gold tanka and the silver tanka. There were also distinct coins of the respective value of forty-eight, twenty-five, twenty-four, twelve, ten, eight, six, and one jítal, known as the chihal o hashtgání, bíst o panjgání, bíst o chahárgání, dwázdahgání, dahgáni, hashtgáni, shashgáni and yakjítal. When the Sultán had issued these many varieties of coins, it occurred to his benignant mind that a very poor person might buy an article in the market, and a half or a quarter jítal might be due to him in change, but if the shopkeeper had no dāngs (quarters) no change could be given, and the purchaser would incur a loss. If the purchaser demanded his due, how could he get it if there was no coin in which to pay it. Contentions might thus arise between buyer and seller. The Sultán accordingly gave directions for the issuing of a half jítal, called ádhá, and a quarter jítal, called bíkh, so that the requirements of the indigent might be supplied. When the Sultán ordered the coinage of the shashgáni (or six-jítal-piece), Kájar Sháh was Director of the Mint, and he exerted himself to execute the orders of the Sultán. The new coin was accordingly struck during the reign of the Sultán, under the management of Kájar Sháh.