Turkey AH1255(7) 50 kurush
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 possessions such as Egypt and Tunisia had already sought degrees of autonomy or were occupied by European forces. The Ottoman Empire came officially to and end after World War I, paving the way for a much smaller and politically modern Republic of Turkey.
The first specimen was part of lot 47 on Dec 13, 2011 at the Kunker Auction #199 in Osnabrück, Germany, where it sold for 260 euros. The catalog description reads:
"OSMANISCHE MÜNZEN Münzen nach der Münzreform von 1845 Goldprägungen der Münzstätte Qustantînîya 50 Kurush 1255 H., 7, Qustantînîya. GOLD. Vorzüglich-Stempelglanz. (Ottoman Empire, reform of 1845, gold fifty kuruş of AH 1255, year 7, Constantinople mint. Extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
The second specimen was lot 2002 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €320 (about US$441 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "OTTOMAN EMPIRE, Abdul Mejid (AD 1839-1861/AH 1255-1277) AV 50 kurush, AH 1255, year 7, Kostantiniye. Mount traces. Fine."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 3.60 g, 0.917 gold, 0.1064 oz AGW, the first specimen 3,61 g, the second specimen is 3,45 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-121 (formerly Fr-19), KM 678; Ölcer 31.057; Pere 879.
- 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.
- 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, Istanbul: Mas Matbaacilik A.S., 2007.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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