Tunisia AH 974 sultani

Sincona sale 31, lot 5

This specimen was lot 5 in Sincona sale 31 (Zürich, October 2016), where it sold for 3,600 CHF (about US$4,273 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "OTTOMAN TUNIS | Selim II (974-982ah1566-1574ce) sultani 974ah (1566ce) AU RR xf. Ex Album 20:440." Friedberg lists no gold coins for Tunisia prior to the Turkish decimal reform of 1839. It is doubtless rare. It may have been intended to compete with the Venetian ducat familiar throughout the Mediterranean but we doubt the bey had access to enough gold to make a serious dent.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specifications: 3.5 g, gold, this specimen 3.45 g.

Catalog reference: A-A1329; NP 246.

Sources:

• Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed., Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
• ^[1]Jürg Richter and Ralph W. Miller, Tunisian Coins and Medals: The Miller Collection, Auction 31, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2016.

Link to:

• Egypt AH 974 sultani
• Turkey AH 974 sultani
• Tunisia AH 977 nasri
• Tunisia AH 982 sultani
• Coins and currency dated 1566
• return to coins of Tunisia