Algeria AH 1243 sultani
Algeria formed part of the Ottoman Empire from 1518 AD (AH 924). However, as the centuries wore on, the region became a haven for piracy and was only nominally ruled by the Turks. France ruled Algeria since conquering it in the 1840's and many Frenchmen had emigrated there and set up farms, businesses, etc. However, the German occupation of France during World War Two fatally weakened French control and the native Muslim majority began to resist discrimination and oppression. Finally, after an eight year war, president Charles de Gaulle braved the wrath of the French right wing and granted Algeria independence in 1962. This specimen was lot 1019 in Sincona sale 18 (Zürich, May 2014), where it sold for CHF 1,000 (about US$1,318 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Sultani 1827. Vorzüglich. (Algeria, sultani of 1827, extremely fine.)"
This type is listed for AH 1235-1245. The first three digits of the date are clearly "124" but the last digit is so badly botched that we're not sure that it's the "3" claimed by the cataloguers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.2 g, gold, this specimen 3.31 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-43, KM 66.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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