The Latin Version Of A Grant By Uzbek Khan Of Kipchak To The Venetian Andrea Zeno, In 1333,[1] Ends With The Words:

"Dedimus baisa et privilegium cum bullis rubeis," where the latter words no doubt represent the Yarligh al-tamgha, the warrant with the red seal or stamp,[2] as it may be seen upon the letter of Arghun Khan.

(See plate at ch. xvii. of Bk. IV.). So also Janibek, the son of Uzbek, in 1344, confers privileges on the Venetians, "eisdem dando baissinum de auro"; and again Bardibeg, son, murderer, and successor of Janibeg, in 1358, writes: "Avemo dado comandamento [i.e. Yarlig] cum le bolle rosse, et lo paysam."

Under the Persian branch, at least, of the house the degree of honour was indicated by the number of lions' heads upon the plate, which varied from 1 to 5. The Lion and Sun, a symbol which survives, or has been revived, in the modern Persian decoration so called, formed the emblem of the Sun in Leo, i.e. in highest power. It had already been used on the coins of the Seljukian sovereigns of Persia and Iconium; it appears on coins of the Mongol Ilkhans Ghazan, Oljaitu, and Abusaid, and it is also found on some of those of Mahomed Uzbek Khan of Kipchak.

[Illustration: Seljukian Coin with the Lion and Sun.]

Hammer gives regulations of Ghazan Khan's on the subject of the Paizah, from which it is seen that the latter were of different kinds as well as degrees.

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