Analysis of Ilkhanids silver coins discovered in the Great Mosque of Ardabil city in Northwestern Iran, by Pixe method

Abstract

Existence of more than 10 historical sites dating back to pre-Islamic and Islamic periods, especially, the architectural remains of the Great Mosque located on bank of the Balikhlli chai river running through Ardabil indicates the significance of the city of Ardabil. Numerous Byzantine golden coins, Atabegs copper and Ilkhanids silver coins belonging to 11th to 13th centuries AD were found during the extensive activities on reparation of the Great Mosque in 2009-2012. This fact evidences that this religious monument has been used for a long time. The article focuses on Ilkhanids silvers coins. The investigation of the silver coins from the Great Mosque shows that they are related with the beginnings of Ilkhanids' history. PIXE analysis of some of the silver coins shows high purity of silver and gold in metal composition of coins and points to good economic conditions, medicine improvement and cultural dehiscence during Ilkhanid period and the preceding periods. The authors suppose the extract of copper and presence of silver in Tabriz surroundings.