Algiers AH 1241 sultani
This specimen was lot 54019 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[1] noted, "ALGERIA. Sultani, AH 1241 (1826). Algiers Mint Mahmud II. NGC MS-63. Beautifully struck with exceptional luster. RARE quality, with this being the single finest example of the date certified by NGC." 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. 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.2 g, gold.
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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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