Tunisia ND c/m on AH 1293 4 piastres
The coin shown is a silver four piastres from the reign of Sultan Abdul Aziz, minted in Tunis. It was struck in AH 1293, but was countermarked with a star in AH 1295, during the rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. 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 lot 359 on Dec 13, 2011 at the Kunker Auction #199 in Osnabruck, Germany, where it did not sell. 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 4 Riyal 1293 H., Tûnis. Mit Muhammad as-Sâdiq Bay (1276-1299 H.), mit wertreduzierendem Gegenstempel "Stern" von 1295 H. Sehr schön (Ottoman coins of Abdul Aziz (1861-76), Tunis mint, silver four riyals of AH 1293, in the name of Muhammad al-Sadiq, with the star counterstamp of AH 1295. Very fine.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 12.80 g, 0.835 fine silver, 0.3436 oz. ASW, this specimen 11.98 g.
Catalog reference: Fenina 433; KM 168; Ölcer 32.831; Pere 942.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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