A Persian silver coin which takes its name from Shah Abbas I (A.H. 996-1038=1587-1629). It was divided into two Mahmudis, or four Shahis, or ten Bisti.

In the Georgian series the Abbasi was introduced in the reign of Theimouraz II (1744-1762), and had a value of ten Bisti. The half Abbasi, called Chaouri or Schauri, Langlois (No. 67), Fonrobert (4288, 4303) appeared in 1779 under Erecle (Hercules) II.

With the Russian occupation of Georgia under Alexander I, beginning in 1801, this coin received the name of Abaze or Rial, and the currency was made to harmonize with that of Russia, as follows : 1 Abaze= 200 Thetri=10 Kopecks. The Kopeck was again divided into tenths, one of which was called Phoul or Pal; plural Phuli.

The modern Persian coinage retains this piece under the name of Abassi, and the half is called Senar. In the Afghan coin- age the Abaze is computed at one-third of the Rial.

Abbey-Pieces. A name given to both coins and tokens that were issued by the great monastic establishments. Some of these pieces were not coins in the modern sense, but were intended as Tesserae Sacrae for use of pilgrims and monks who travelled from one religious house to an- other.

Others, however, were legitimate coins, and the issues of the abbatial mint of St. Martin at Tours were noted during the Middle Ages.

Abbesses as well as abbots enjoyed the privilege of striking coins. The most no- table are those of the Frauenmiinster in Zurich, and the abbeys of Quedlinburg, Herford, Essen, and Thorn in Brabant.