KHWAREZMSHAHS. Ala ad-Din Muhammad II (1200-1220), AE jital. Kurzuwan mint, (2.33g, 14.6mm). O./ Shackled elephant facing right. r./ Inscription. An earlier issue of this coin shows an unshackled elephant; the shackles may indicate Muhammad II?s having forced the Ghorid empire into vassalage. His victories were all for naught, though. In one of the most ill-advised moves in all of world history, he decided to execute emissaries from Genghis Khan. In response, the Khan launched a massive invasion of Central Asia with a force of 200,000, extinguishing the Khwarezmshahs? empire entirely. After defeat and flight, the Shah died a miserable death in the middle of the Caspian sea. Tye 228.3 or 229, Album 1735.1. $60