Discovery of a Turkish Coin from the 6th Century

In excavations conducted in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, a Turkic coin dating to the 6th century has been discovered. This find includes a type of coin believed to belong to the Western Göktürk Khaganate. The inscription "Türk-Kağan" on the coin reveals an important document from the early periods of Turkic history.

Turkic Coin Inscribed with Türk Kağan (TRT News)

Historical Significance

According to statements by Professor Dr. Gaybulla Babayarov, the term "Türk-Kağan" on this coin demonstrates that the name "Türk" dates back 1,500 years. While the word "Türk" in the Orkhon Inscriptions is dated to the 8th century, this coin suggests that the historical use of the term "Türk" can be traced as far back as the late 6th century.

First Type Coins of the Western Göktürk Khaganate Featuring the Term Türk-Kağan (TRT News)

Second Type Coins of the Western Göktürk Khaganate Inscribed with Türk Kağan (TRT News)

Structure and Discovery Location

This coin was minted with Sogdian inscriptions found in the ruins of the ancient city of Tashkent. Additionally, its manufacturing style, metal composition, and dimensions differ from those of Western Göktürk Khaganate coins dated to the late 6th and early 7th centuries. This indicates that the Turkic society of the period was beginning to adopt a sedentary lifestyle and engage in trade. The coin type is associated with the Yabgu period of the Western Göktürk Khaganate.

Ethnic and Political Affiliation

The term "Türk-Kağan" refers not only to the name of a ruler but also to the ethnic and political identity of the Turkic society of that era. Professor Dr. Babayarov emphasizes that this expression was similarly used on coins of the Türgesh Khaganate that succeeded the Western Göktürks. The inscriptions on the coin demonstrate that Western Göktürk administrators frequently included their titles on their coinage.

Which Khagan the Coin Belongs To

The coin is believed to have been issued by the descendants of Istemi Khagan, one of the founders of the Western Göktürk Khaganate, who ruled in Ferghana. This hypothesis is based on the Sogdian inscriptions on the coin and archaeological evidence.

The Turkic Transition to Sedentary Life

This coin provides evidence that the Turks transitioned from a nomadic society to a sedentary lifestyle, establishing cities and engaging in trade. Research conducted to date has yielded significant data showing that the Turks were not only nomadic but also constituted societies with a sedentary way of life.

This discovery marks a crucial turning point in understanding Turkic history. The coin found in Uzbekistan offers vital insights into the early periods of the Turks and pushes back the historical origins of the name "Türk" to the 6th century.