Tunisia AH 1245 2 piastres
This specimen was lot 75747 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "TUNISIA. 2 Piastres (Rials), AH 1245 (1830). Mahmud II. NGC AU-55. An elusive billon issue with a charmingly crude yet ornate design. Approaching Mint State, with some original luster retained in the fields." This type was struck AH 1244-1248 in the name of Mahmud II in Constantinople. It is very scarce in nice condition and the first of its denomination. This is the period of the French conqest of Algeria and the final suppression of piracy in the Mediterranean.
Recorded mintage: unknown but very scarce.
Specification: 23 g, billon, 39 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-93.
- 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, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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