Egypt AH 1203(16) 1 qirsh
The coin shown is a 1 qirsh, composition billon, from the reign of Sultan Selim III. It was struck at the Cairo Mint. The obverse bears the toughra, or signature, of the sultan. The reverse carries the ascension date and the text minted in Misr (Misr is Arabic for Egypt). The date is written as AH 1203 year 16, which translates to about 1804 AD. This coin was minted in the first years of the restored reign of Sultan Selim III, following the occupation of Egypt by the French.
The coin pictured was sold by Heritage Auction Galleries as lot 13194 on September 8, 2004. The catalog description[1] noted, "Selim III Piastre 1203/16H (1803), superb XF+, lightly toned and with immediate eye appeal. The details are extremely bold and the overall appearance is remarkable. Just an exceptional coin with high silver content, broad flan and glossy mint luster. Very rare grade for this elusive type. From the Lake Pearl Middle Eastern Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 12.8 g, billon, this specimen 37 mm, 12.17 grams.
Catalog reference: KM 138.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3004: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2009.
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