Zharkent Mosque (118) 500 tenge 1 oz Proof Казахстан

The 500 ₸ silver proof coin, weighing 31.10 g, is part of the "Mosques and Cathedrals of Kazakhstan" series and is dedicated to the Zharkent Mosque, one of the most distinctive architectural monuments of Kazakhstan. The mosque was built between 1887 and 1892 with funds provided by the first-guild merchant Vali Akhun Yuldashev. Construction was supervised by the architect Hon Pik, also known as Mukan. The building is notable for its combination of Islamic traditions with motifs characteristic of Buddhist architecture. The complex covers an area of more than 1,500 square meters. Wood was the main construction material, and according to a number of accounts, almost no nails were used in its assembly. After restoration, an architectural and art museum was opened in the building, with a collection featuring hundreds of exhibits related to the daily life and culture of the inhabitants of the border region.