Turkey AH1223(16) surre altin KM-621
This specimen was lot 2311 in Sincona sale 59 (Zürich, October 2019), where it sold for 250 CHF (about US$303 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"OSMANISCHES REICH | Mahmûd II. 1223-1255 H./1808-1839 AD, 1 Altin (Sürre Altin) 1223 H./Jahr 16, Dâr al-khilâfa al-'alîya (Konstantinopel/Istanbul). Tughra mit 'adlî an der rechten Seite umgeben von Streublumen, Rv. Mzst. und Jahr des Regierungsanfangs, oben das Regierungsjahr. Gerändelt. FDC. (Turkey, Mahmud II, 1808-39, gold altin of AH 1223, year 16, Constantinople mint. Obverse: toughra with "'adlî" and flowers; reverse: mintmark and accession date and regnal year. Uncirculated.)"
This denomination and the similar esseniye surre altin (KM 625) were struck especially for pilgrims going to Mecca. They are now rare. The gold was the victim of frequent manipulation and the denominations changed names in a confusing manner. Turkish issues before the reform of 1839 are a mess of constantly changing denominations as the government attempted to debase its way out of perpetual bankruptcy. Matters were regularized in the reign of Abdul Mejid, with gold coins issued in multiples of the kuruş. This type was struck years 15-16.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.56 g, gold, this specimen 1.57 g.
Catalog reference: Artuk 1945 (year 15). Pere 763 (year 15). Ölçer 30-114. KM 621. Sultan coll. 1643.
- 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.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Auction 59: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals; Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2019.
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