Isma‘il I

SAFAVID

908-1169 AH

In the 250 years of their existence, the Safavids operated more than 125 mints, many briefly or sporadically. Only Tabriz and Isfahan are consistently common throughout this era. Other mints that are frequently, but not always common include Ganja, Nakhjawan, Irawan, Tiflis, Ardabil, Rasht, Lahijan, Amul, Sari, Barfurushdih, Mashhad, Herat, Kashan, Qumm, Shiraz, Yazd, Kirman, Nimruz, Astarabad, Dawraq, Ramhurmuz, Dizful, Huwayza, Qazwin and perhaps a few more. Whereas most coins struck under Isma‘il II and thereafter bear the full mint and date (sometimes off flan), many issues of the first two rulers, Isma‘il I and Tahmasp I, lack the mint name or date, or both.