Turkey AH1223(25) hayriye altin
This specimen was lot 3304 in Sincona sale 33 (Zürich, October 2016), where it sold for 140 CHF (about US$166 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TÜRKEI. Mahmud II. 1808-1839 1 Hayriye Altin 1831. Fast vorzüglich. (Turkey, Ottoman empire, Mahmud II, 1808-39, one hayriye altin of 1831. Almost extremely fine.)"
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.) and the regnal year 25 (AH 1247 = June 1831-May 1832). 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 years 21-26 (1827-32). 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.73 g, gold, this specimen 1.76 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-106, Schl. 256. KM 638.
- 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]Jürg Richter, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 33, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2016.
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