Turkey AH1255(5) 1/2 zeri mahbub
The Ottoman empire formed in the 1300’s and went through several centuries of expansion to the east and west. By the 1700’s Ottoman political and military power was waning, despite the large geographical extent of its possessions. By the mid-1800’s, several provinces such as Egypt and Tunisia had already sought degrees of autonomy or were occupied by European forces. The Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I, paving the way for a much smaller and politically modern Republic of Turkey.
This specimen was lot 12 on Dec 13, 2011 at the Kunker Auction #199 in Osnabruck, Germany, where it sold for 420 euros. The catalog description reads:
"OSMANISCHE MÜNZEN Münzen vor der Münzreform von 1845 Goldprägungen der Münzstätte Qustantînîya 1/2 Zer-i mahbûb 1255 H., 5, Qustantînîya. GOLD. R Henkelspur, sehr schön. (Ottoman Empire, pre-reform of 1845, gold half zeri mahbub of AH 1255, year 5, Constantinople mint. Rare, mount mark, very fine.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: Gold, 0.80 g, this specimen .72 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-117, KM 660; Ölcer 31.023; Pere 875.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M. Fatih, and Kara, Tuncay. Ottoman Empire Coins, Istanbul: Mas Matbaacilik A.S., 2007.
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