Turkey AH1223(12) 2 rumi altin KM-614
This specimen is from a series struck in Istanbul during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II (r. 1808-39). Ottoman coins were dated using regnal years; the reverse bears the date AH 1223 (= 1808 A.D.) while the obverse bears the regnal year 12 (AH 1234 = November 1818-October 1819). The Hejira calendar uses a lunar year instead of a solar year, so its starting date moves from year to year. This type was issued AH 1230-1236 (1814-21). The gold was the victim of frequent manipulation and the denominations changed names in a confusing manner. The SCWC lists zeri mahbubs, rumi altins, adli altins, yeni altins and hayriye altins for this period. Matters were regularized in the reign of Abdul Mejid, with gold coins issued in multiples of the kuruş. This specimen was lot 34612 in Heritage sale 3042 (Long Beach, September 2015), where it sold for $399.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mahmud II gold 2 Rumi Altin AH 1223/12 (1819) MS63 NGC. Sharply struck and attractive, slight wave to the flan. Most surviving examples of this type have been holed or mounted."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.7-4.8 g, gold.
Catalog reference: KM 614.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M. Fatih, and Kara, Tuncay, Ottoman Empire Coins 1687-1839 (AH 1099-1255), Istanbul: Anka Matbaacilik, 2010.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3042, featuring the Read and Bob Bennett Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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