Tunisia AH 1289 25 piastres
The coin shown is a gold twenty-five piastres 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.
The first specimen was lot 348 on Dec 13, 2011 at the Kunker Auction #199 in Osnabruck, Germany, where it sold for 360 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 Goldprägungen der Münzstätte Tûnis 25 Riyal 1289 H., Tûnis. Mit dem Dey von Tûnis Muhammad as-Sâdiq. Vorzüglich (Ottoman coins of Abdul Aziz (1861-76) and Bey Muhammad al-Sadiq (AH 1276-1299), Tunis mint, gold twenty-five riyals of AH 1289, extremely fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 1426 in Jean Elsen sale 123 (Brussels, December 2014), where it sold for €245 (about US$356 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TUNISIE, Muhammad al-Sadiq Bey (1859-1882), AV 25 piastres, AH 1289, Tunis. presque Superbe. (Tunisia, gold 25 piastres of AH 1289, about extremely fine.)"
This type of AH 1278-1291 is from the third series of milled gold coinage in Tunisia.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 4.92 g, 0.900 fine gold, 0.1424 oz. AGW, the second specimen 4.80 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-5, Fenina 405; KM 148; Ölcer 32.742; Pere -.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 123, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
Link to: