Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 1 Tilla 1917-1919, KM# 856, Afghanistan, Habibullah Khan
  • 1 Tilla 1917-1919, KM# 856, Afghanistan, Habibullah Khan
Description

Habibullah Khan (1872–1919) was the Emir of Afghanistan from 1901 until his assassination in 1919. He succeeded his father, Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, and was known for his efforts to modernize Afghanistan by introducing modern medicine, technology, and progressive legal reforms. Habibullah established the Habibia school and a military academy, and attempted to dismantle his father's oppressive intelligence system. Despite his reformist agenda, his reign faced challenges, including the Khost rebellion in 1912 and pressure from international forces during World War I, where he maintained Afghan neutrality. On the night of 19 February 1919, while in his winter quarters in Jalalabad, an assassin managed to avoid the Amir's bodyguards and shot him through the ear at very close range, killing him. This led to a brief succession by his brother Nasrullah Khan, who was quickly overthrown by Habibullah's son, Amanullah Khan.

Obverse

Depicts the emblem of the Emirate of Afghanistan, a star above.

The Afghan Emblem features a mosque with a mihrab and minbar (pulpit) at its center with 6-pointed star below. Flanking the mosque are two flags, topped with a royal shako. The mosque is encircled by rays forming eight points, inspired by 19th-century Ottoman Imperial standards, symbolizing Afghanistan's flags surrounded by wheat sheaves.

Reverse

Depicts Habibullah Khan's name, Amir of Afghanistan, and Siraj al-Din wal-Millah "A great lamp of the religion", with a star above, the date of accession in Lunar Hijri below surrounded by a wreath.


الله
امير حبيب
سراج الملة والدين
۱۳۳۷

Edge -

1 Tilla

Emirate
KM# 856
Characteristics
Material Gold
Fineness 0.900
Weight 4.6 g
Diameter 21 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kabul Mint

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