Algiers AH 1237 sultani
This specimen was lot 2425 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 700 CHF (about US$970 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TÜRKEI Mahmûd II. 1223-1255 AH (1808-1839). 1 Sultani 1237 AH (1821/1822), Jaza'ir (Algier). Gutes vorzüglich. Leicht justiert. (Turkey, Mehmed II, 1808-39, gold sultani of AH 1237, Algiers mint. About Uncirculated, Minor adjustment marks.)"
From the sixteenth century until its final suppression in the early nineteenth century, piracy was the main source of revenue for the north African states of Algiers, Tunis and Morocco. Its end weakened those states and made them easy prey for European colonizers, particularly France, which invaded and conquered Algeria in the 1840's. The French found the interior tribesmen extremely obstreperous as had the previous regime, and never succeeded in imposing obedience. The first sultani is noted in Friedberg for the reign of Murad III (1574-95 AD) and was an imitation of a Venetian ducat. This type was issued AH 1235-1245 with most dates priced the same. Half and quarter sultanis also exist. On this example, the date ("١٢٣٧") is on the left of the third line on the reverse.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.2 g, gold, this specimen 3.23 g.
Catalog reference: Pere 739 (1230 H.). Sultan coll. 1911. KM 66. Fr-43.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 94: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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