16 Ashrafi - Sulayman I Safavi

Sulayman I (r. 1666–1694) ruled the Safavid empire during a period of accelerating military and administrative decline, though the Isfahan court maintained its reputation for lavish patronage. A multiple ashrafi of this weight — equivalent to sixteen standard units — was never a circulating denomination in any practical sense. These were presentation pieces, struck for ceremonial disbursement at court, as gifts to foreign envoys, or as nazar offerings.

Few examples are documented outside major institutional collections. KM# 768 is sparsely represented in auction records, and surviving pieces show minimal wear for obvious reasons.