Turkey AH1327(9) 20 kurush
This specimen is from a series struck in Istanbul during the reign of Sultan Muhammed V (r. 1909-18). This denomination was introduced during the rule of Sultan Abdul Mejid (r. 1839-61). Ottoman coins were dated using regnal years; the reverse bears the date AH 1327 (= 1909 A.D.) while the obverse bears the regnal year 9 (= 1917 A.D.). 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 1334-1336 (1916-18). The silver twenty kuruş was last issued to this standard in 1918. The second specimen was lot 75749 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "TURKEY. Ottoman Empire. 20 Kurush, AH1327 Year 9 (1917). Istanbul (Constantinople) Mint. Mehmed V. NGC MS-62. Bright and flashy, with hints of pale golden tone developing towards the peripheries."
Recorded mintage: 5,962,000.
Specification: 24.05 g, .830 fine silver, .641 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 780, Dav-406.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Uslu, Kaan, Beyazit, M. Fatih, and Kara, Tuncay. Ottoman Empire Coins, Istanbul: Mas Matbaacilik A.S., 2007.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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