Tunisia AH 1289 1 piastre
The coin shown is a silver 1 piastre from the reign of Sultan Abdul Aziz, minted in Tunis. After AH 1272, all coins mentioned the local ruler (or Bey) of Tunis, along with the Ottoman sultan. For the issues AH 1276 onward, the local Bey was Muhammad al-Sadiq. Tunisia was under the control of the Ottomans for centuries until lack of financial resources forced it into dependence on France, which made it a protectorate in 1881.
This specimen was part of lot 365 on Dec 13, 2011 at the Kunker Auction #199 in Osnabruck, Germany, where it sold for 200 euros. The catalog description reads:
"OSMANISCHE MÜNZEN 'ABD AL-'AZÎZ KHAN (TÜRKEI-TÜRKISCH: ABDÜLAZIZ HAN)) 15. DHÛ I-HIJJA 1277 - 5. JUMÂDÂ II 1293 H. 25. JUNI 1861 - 30. MAI 1876, GESTORBEN 5. JUNI 1876 Silberprägungen der Münzstätte Tûnis Riyal 1289 und 1290 H., Tûnis. Mit Namen des Muhammad as-Sâdiq Bay (1276-1299 H.), ohne Gegenstempel. 2 Stück. Das zweite mit Henkelspur, beide sehr schön (Ottoman coins of Abdul Aziz (1861-76) and Bey Muhammad al-Sadiq (AH 1276-1299), Tunis mint, silver riyal of AH 1289 and AH 1290, without counterstamp, rare, very fine.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 3.20 g, 0.835 fine silver, 0.0859 oz. ASW, this specimen 2.98 g.
Catalog reference: Fenina 452; KM 145a; Ölcer 32.873; Pere 944.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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