Egypt AH 1168 (ix) zeri mahbub
This coin is a gold zeri mahbub, struck during the reign of Osman III. The date is AH 1143 which translates to 1730 AD. During this period, coins minted in Egypt were very similar in appearance to those struck in other parts of the Ottoman Empire. The obverse features the royal cypher of the sultan. Uslu[3] classifies this issue as common. No issuing year is explicitly stated. The first specimen was lot 1365 in Jean Elsen sale 138 (Brussels, September 2018), where it sold for €240 (about US$333 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"OTTOMAN EMPIRE, Osman III (AD 1754-1757/AH 1168-1171) AV zeri mahbub, AH 1168, Misr. Sultan mark 9 on reverse. Some encrustations. Very Fine - Extremely Fine."
The second specimen was lot 344 in Stephen Album sale 47 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $420. The catalog description[2] noted, "EGYPT: Osman II, 1754-1757, AV zeri mahbub, Misr, AH1168, initial #8, NGC graded MS63."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.6 g, gold, the first specimen 2,61 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-33, KM-97, Pere 596 var.; Sultan 2090.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 138, Collection A. BLONDEL, Collection M. HENDRICKX, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
- 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [3]Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M., and Kara, Tuncay. Ottoman Empire Coins 1687-1839 (AH 1099-1255). Istanbul: Anka Matbaacilik, 2010.
- [2]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 47, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2023.
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