Iraq AH 1223(15) 30 para
The first specimen was lot 471 in Steve Album Auction 54 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2026), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "IRAQ: Mahmud II, 1808-1839, AR piastre, Baghdad, AH1223 year 15, nice strike, XF, RR, ex Kenneth A. Bovenkamp Collection. Sold in our Auction 9, lot 118." The second specimen was lot 472 in the same sale, where it sold for $510. The catalog description[1] noted, "IRAQ: Mahmud II, 1808-1839, AR 30 para (= zolota), Baghdad, AH1223 year 15, 3-line legend above mint & date // 4-line legend, XF, RR, ex Kenneth A. Bovenkamp Collection." We believe we are showing two examples of the same coin and the first one is misattributed as a piastre (KM 53), which should weigh 3.2-4.0 g and have a simpler design. Ottoman issues for Iraq are all rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.5 g, billon, the first specimen 4.47 g, the second specimen 4.50 g.
Catalog reference: UBK-30.006.00, KM-57.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M. Fatih, and Kara, Tuncay, Ottoman Empire Coins 1687-1839 (AH 1099-1255), Istanbul: Anka Matbaacilik, 2010.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Hanbing Feng, Auction 54, featuring selections from the Kenneth A. Bovenkamp Collection of Ottoman Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.
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