Algeria AH 1245 1/3 budju
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.
The first specimen was lot 32423 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mahmud II 1/3 Budju AH 1245 (1830) MS64 NGC, Jaza'ir mint. Yet another supremely crisp (and in this instance one-year) Algerian type struck from highly-polished dies to produce a stunning finish. With unbroken cartwheel luster, this piece offers a further chance for the collector of perfection to start or expand a budding collection of Ottoman issues." The second specimen was lot 2290 in Stephen Album sale 39 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[2] noted, "ALGIERS: Mahmud II, 1808-1830, AR 1/3 budju, Jaza 'ir, AH1245, fabulous strike, AU." This scarce type was accompanied by a 1/6 budju (KM 77). It is a lightweight version of KM 62 (3.3-3.65 g) struck AH 1226-1235.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, about 3.1 g. The second specimen is 3.09 g.
Catalog reference: KM 78.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
- [2]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 39, featuring the John Sylvester, Jr., Collection of Annamese Medals and Orders, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
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